Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man stated that the bilateral trade turnover remains modest compared to the potential and the excellent political relationship between the two countries. He proposed that both sides continue to find solutions to enhance bilateral trade turnover.

 The Chairman of the National Assembly, Tran Thanh Man, has met with the Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone.

Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man stated that the bilateral trade turnover remains modest compared to the potential and the excellent political relationship between the two countries. He proposed that both sides continue to find solutions to enhance bilateral trade turnover.

During the official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, on the afternoon of October 17, at the office of the Prime Minister of Laos, Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone expressed his happiness and appreciation for Chairman Tran Thanh Man, who represented the leadership of the Party and State, leading a high-ranking delegation of the National Assembly of Vietnam on an official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic and attending the 45th AIPA General Assembly. He expressed confidence that this visit would contribute significantly to the success of the 45th AIPA General Assembly and thanked Vietnam for supporting Laos in successfully organizing the 44th-45th ASEAN Summits and related summits, successfully fulfilling the role of ASEAN Chair, AIPA Chair, and hosting the 45th AIPA General Assembly.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone emphasized that, in his role as AIPA Chair, the Lao National Assembly is focusing its efforts in a host spirit to successfully organize the 45th AIPA General Assembly and related meetings. He expressed confidence that the participation of Chairman Tran Thanh Man and the Vietnamese delegation would play an important role in the success of the 45th AIPA General Assembly.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man sincerely thanked the Lao Prime Minister and Lao leaders for the warm, respectful, thoughtful, and fraternal welcome extended to the high-ranking delegation of the National Assembly of Vietnam.

On this occasion, Chairman Tran Thanh Man respectfully conveyed the greetings and best wishes for good health from General Secretary, President Tô Lâm, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, and other leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam to Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Lao leaders.

The Lao Prime Minister appreciated Vietnam for maintaining strong economic growth, stable political conditions, peaceful society, improving the people's lives, expanding foreign relations, and enhancing Vietnam's role and position in the region and on the international stage.

The Prime Minister was pleased to note that, despite the complex and unpredictable developments in the world and the region, the two countries continue to face many difficulties. However, the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam are being strengthened and continually developed. This is evidenced by regular, continuous visits and exchanges of high-level delegations and delegations at all levels from both central and local authorities. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation has also made significant progress.

 The scene of the meeting between National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man congratulated the great and comprehensive achievements that the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, State, and people have achieved in implementing the Resolution of the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the 9th Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025). He firmly believed that, under the wise leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Laos would successfully organize the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in early 2026 and successfully complete national development strategies.

The Chairman affirmed that Vietnam will always prioritize its unique special traditional relationship with Laos and will continue to stand side by side and strongly support Laos in its efforts to protect, build, innovate, and develop. Vietnam always cherishes the sentiments and valuable contributions of generations of Lao leaders and the Lao people in nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

This pure friendship has been nurtured by President Hồ Chí Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, President Souphanouvong, and generations of leaders of the two parties and states, as well as the people of both countries, forged through many challenges and enriched by the blood and toil of countless generations of heroic martyrs, becoming an invaluable asset for both nations.

The Chairman of the National Assembly noted that the bilateral trade turnover remains modest compared to the potential and the excellent political relationship between the two countries, and he proposed that both sides continue to find solutions to enhance bilateral trade turnover.

The Chairman expressed a desire to deepen the relationship between the two countries and their National Assemblies, making it more effective and substantive, serving the renewal, construction, and protection of the homeland in each country. He also stated that Vietnam is ready to strengthen cooperation and share experiences with Laos in building and amending the Constitution and laws, as well as sharing information and supporting Laos in successfully organizing conferences during its ASEAN Chairmanship and AIPA Chairmanship in 2024.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man agreed with the evaluations and proposals of the Lao Prime Minister regarding the relationship between the two countries and their National Assemblies. He affirmed that the National Assembly of Vietnam will continue to closely coordinate with the National Assembly of Laos to create a favorable legal framework for the two governments to effectively implement the high-level agreements between the two countries. This includes enhancing cooperation in monitoring the implementation of the cooperation agreements between the two governments and promoting the completion of institutional policies to facilitate the implementation of investment cooperation projects between the two countries, as well as the contents agreed upon by both governments.

The Chairman proposed that the two countries strengthen the exchange of information and share experiences on new issues in socio-economic development, ensuring macroeconomic stability, expanding foreign relations, and enhancing the effectiveness of international integration; and share experiences in overcoming difficulties.

At the same time, he suggested further strengthening the pillars of cooperation in defense and security to effectively respond to traditional and non-traditional security challenges, building a peaceful, friendly, stable, and sustainable Vietnam-Laos border, and closely cooperating in combating transnational crime, especially drug-related crime.

The Chairman proposed promoting breakthroughs to enhance cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, education, health, and science and technology, based on leveraging each country’s strengths. He called for the simultaneous implementation of solutions to facilitate trade and increase bilateral trade turnover. Vietnam will continue to pay attention to and support the activities of Vietnamese enterprises investing in Laos. Additionally, he urged the localities of both countries to enhance cooperation in agriculture, tourism, investment, and trade, bringing the relationship between localities to a deeper, practical, and effective level.

Finally, he emphasized the importance of closely coordinating and supporting each other in important multilateral forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN cooperation, and ASEAN-led cooperation mechanisms, and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

The Chairman requested that both sides consult and support each other on regional issues, maintaining a common stance and voice of ASEAN on important regional matters.

The Lao Prime Minister emphasized that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States, and the peoples of Laos and Vietnam will forever remain strong and beautiful.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the results of bilateral cooperation over the past time and the direction for future cooperation. The Lao Prime Minister suggested that the two National Assemblies continue to promote their important roles in lawmaking and institutional development, coordinating to supervise and promote the implementation of other agreements already signed between the two countries.