Vietnam and Laos Strengthen Parliamentary Cooperation and Bilateral Relations
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: On Thursday, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn underscored the importance of expanding cooperation between the legislative bodies of Vietnam and Laos across multiple sectors, with a particular emphasis on strengthening ties in politics, defense, security, and the economy. Chairman Mẫn made this statement during talks with the President of the Lao National Assembly and Chair of the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45), Saysomphone Phomvihane, in Vientiane.
Chairman Mẫn is currently on an official visit to Laos and is attending AIPA-45 from October 17 to 19. During the meeting, he commended Laos on its remarkable achievements over the past 40 years of renewal, expressing confidence in the country’s ability to successfully host its 12th National Congress in 2026 and meet its national development goals.
The Vietnamese NA Chairman also provided an update on Vietnam’s socio-economic progress in the first nine months of 2024, highlighting preparations for the upcoming eighth session of the Vietnamese National Assembly, set to commence on October 21.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive outcomes of cooperation between their respective Parties and countries. They acknowledged the ongoing progress in bilateral relations but recognized that the current level of trade and investment cooperation remains modest. President Phomvihane noted that Việt Nam is among the top investors in Laos, with 241 projects and a total investment capital of approximately US$5.47 billion. He called for further support from the Vietnamese NA to enhance economic cooperation, especially by increasing bilateral trade.
Both sides emphasized the need for effective mechanisms to overcome challenges and create momentum for future collaboration. President Phomvihane also expressed admiration for Vietnam’s achievements in agricultural development and expressed a desire to benefit from Vietnam’s expertise in producing high-value agricultural goods.
The leaders acknowledged the strengthening of ties between their legislative bodies, which have been actively implementing a Cooperation Agreement signed in May 2022. This cooperation includes regular exchanges of high-level delegations, thematic discussions, and joint oversight of strategic economic cooperation projects. Both legislative bodies have also consulted and supported each other at international and regional parliamentary forums.
They praised the recent visits of Vietnamese NA Vice Chairman Nguyễn Khắc Định to Laos in July 2024 and Lao NA Vice Chairman Sommad Pholsena to Vietnam in September 2024. These visits allowed both sides to share experiences and practical lessons in amending their constitutions and legal frameworks, as well as in formulating socio-economic development policies.
Chairman Mẫn reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to sharing its experiences with Laos in constitution-building and legislative reform. Both leaders also agreed to collaborate on the compilation of a book titled 50 Years of Relations between the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic – Comprehensive Cooperation for Development, which will document their long-standing cooperation.
The leaders agreed to continue exchanging experiences on areas of mutual interest, focusing on improving institutional frameworks, legal systems, and supreme supervision, and fostering more flexible forms of cooperation between committees and agencies of their national assemblies. They also emphasized the importance of monitoring the implementation of bilateral agreements and promoting investment cooperation projects.
Both leaders called for enhanced solidarity, coordination, and mutual support at regional and international forums, such as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF). These efforts aim to contribute to regional peace, stability, and development.
Following the talks, Chairman Mẫn and President Phomvihane witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Vietnamese and Lao National Assemblies, further solidifying their cooperation. They also witnessed the signing of an MoU establishing a cooperative friendship between Hội An City in Vietnam’s Quảng Nam Province and Luang Prabang City in Laos.
This meeting reaffirms the commitment of both nations to strengthening their strategic partnership and advancing shared goals for regional stability and prosperity.