During the official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, on the afternoon of October 17, at the Lao Prime Minister’s Office, Chairman of the National Assembly Trần Thanh Mẫn met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

 Chairman of the National Assembly Trần Thanh Mẫn meets with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone expressed his pleasure and appreciation for Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn, who represented the leadership of the Party and State, leading the high-level delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly to officially visit the Lao People's Democratic Republic and attend the 45th AIPA General Assembly. He expressed confidence that the 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 high-level meetings, successfully taking on the role of ASEAN Chair, AIPA Chair, and hosting the 45th AIPA General Assembly.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone stated that, as the AIPA Chair, the Lao National Assembly is focusing all efforts in the spirit of hosting to successfully organize the 45th AIPA General Assembly and related meetings. He expressed confidence that the participation of Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn and the Vietnamese delegation would play an important role in the success of the 45th AIPA General Assembly.

Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn respectfully thanked the Lao Prime Minister and Lao leaders for their warm, respectful, thoughtful, and fraternal reception for the high-level delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly.

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

The Lao Prime Minister sincerely shared with the fraternal Vietnamese Party, State, and people about the severe damage caused by Storm No. 3 (Yagi) and the storm’s aftermath affecting Hanoi and northern provinces, as well as Storm No. 4 (Soulik) impacting central provinces of Vietnam. He expressed confidence that, under the resolute leadership of the Party and the efforts of the National Assembly and Government, the Vietnamese people would soon overcome these difficulties.

 Chairman of the National Assembly Trần Thanh Mẫn meets with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. 

The Lao Prime Minister praised and congratulated the significant achievements that the fraternal Vietnamese people have made under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the process of building and developing the country according to the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress and the socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025. He particularly noted the success of the recent 8th extraordinary session of the Vietnamese National Assembly, which approved many critical national issues, especially the appointments of important leadership positions.

The Lao Prime Minister appreciated Vietnam's continued strong economic growth, stable political environment, peaceful society, improving living standards, expanded foreign relations, and the rising role and position of Vietnam in the region and internationally.

He was pleased to note that despite the complex and unpredictable developments in the world and region, both countries still face many difficulties, but the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam continue to tighten and develop.

This is demonstrated through frequent, continuous high-level visits and exchanges, as well as cooperation in economics, trade, and investment, which have also made significant progress.

Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn congratulated the great and comprehensive achievements that the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, State, and people have attained in implementing the Resolution of the 11th Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the 9th socio-economic development plan (2021-2025). He expressed confidence 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 at the beginning of 2026 and successfully complete national development strategies.

The Chairman affirmed that Vietnam will always prioritize its special "unique" traditional relationship with Laos, standing side by side and supporting Laos comprehensively in its efforts to protect, build, innovate, and develop the country. Vietnam highly values the sentiments and invaluable 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 was cultivated by President Hồ Chí Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, President Souphanouvong, and generations of leaders of both Parties, both States, and the peoples of the two nations, forged through many challenges, and is enriched by the blood and sweat of countless heroes and martyrs, making it a priceless asset of both nations.

The Chairman of the National Assembly stated that the bilateral trade turnover is still modest compared to the potential and the good political relations between the two countries, and suggested that both sides continue to find solutions to enhance bilateral trade turnover.

The Chairman expressed the desire to promote relations between the two countries and the two National Assemblies in depth, effectively, and substantively, serving the renewal, construction, and protection of the Fatherland in each country. He also stated that Vietnam is ready to strengthen cooperation and share experiences with Laos in building and amending constitutions and laws, as well as sharing information and supporting Laos in successfully organizing the meetings during the ASEAN Chairmanship and AIPA Chairmanship in 2024.

The Lao Prime Minister praised the results of the discussions between the two National Assembly Chairmen, where both sides assessed the cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries, exchanged views on regional and international situations, and discussed directions and plans for cooperation in the future.

The Lao Prime Minister supported the Lao National Assembly and the Vietnamese National Assembly in continuing to implement the cooperation agreement, especially continuing to exchange high-level delegations and delegations at all levels, implementing monitoring activities, and promoting the implementation of treaties, agreements, and arrangements signed between the governments and localities of both countries to ensure that economic, trade, and investment cooperation aligns with the good political cooperation.

The Prime Minister stated that the Government is striving with high determination and implementing many measures to develop the economy and maintain growth momentum.

On this occasion, the Lao Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for their significant, valuable, effective, and timely support and assistance to Laos, contributing importantly to the protection and development of Laos, especially Vietnam’s support in 2024 when Laos takes on the role of ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair, as well as during recent natural disasters.

Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn agreed with the assessments and proposals of the Lao Prime Minister regarding the relationship between the two countries and two National Assemblies. He affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly will continue to work closely with the Lao National Assembly to create a favorable legal framework for the two governments to effectively implement the high-level agreements between the two Politburos. They will enhance coordination in monitoring the implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two governments and promote the completion of institutions and policies to facilitate the implementation of investment cooperation projects between the two countries, as well as the contents that the two governments have agreed upon.

The Chairman proposed that both countries enhance information exchange and share experiences on new issues in socio-economic development, ensuring macroeconomic stability, expanding foreign relations, and improving the effectiveness of international integration; as well as sharing experiences in overcoming difficulties.

At the same time, both sides should further strengthen cooperation in defense and security to effectively address traditional and non-traditional security challenges; build a peaceful, friendly, stable, and sustainable Vietnam-Laos border; and cooperate closely in combating transnational crime, particularly drug trafficking.

The Chairman proposed promoting and creating breakthroughs to enhance cooperation in the fields of economics, culture, education, health, and science and technology, based on leveraging the strengths of each country. They should implement synchronously the measures to facilitate trade and increase bilateral trade turnover. Attention should continue to be given to supporting Vietnamese businesses in their investment activities in Laos. The localities of both countries should enhance cooperation in agriculture, tourism, investment, and trade; bringing the relationship between localities to a deeper, more practical, and effective level. They should strengthen close coordination and mutual support in important multilateral forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN cooperation, and ASEAN-led mechanisms, as well as sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

The Chairman suggested 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 in the past period and the directions for future cooperation. The Lao Prime Minister suggested that both National Assemblies continue to play an important role in law-making and institutional building; coordinating to supervise and promote the implementation of other agreements signed between the two countries.