Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Sounthone Xayachack led the Lao National Assembly delegation to attend the 14th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Consultative Group Conference (referred to as AIPA), hosted by the National Assembly of Vietnam in Phu Quoc city, Kien Giang province. On the afternoon of July 10, 2023, Politburo member, Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man had a meeting to welcome the Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly.

Speaking at the reception, comrade Tran Thanh Man expressed his joy that the solidarity and friendship relationship between the two countries has been continuously preserved and developed in recent times. The Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly sent congratulations to the achievements that Laos has achieved in the work of building and developing the country, especially the GDP growth rate of 4.2% in 2022. Besides, he also conveyed his sincere regards to comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane, Chairman of the Lao National Assembly as well as other senior leaders of the Party and State of Laos.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly commented that the cooperative relationship between the two National Assembly is becoming more and more profound, practical and effective. Recently, training courses for Lao National Assembly Congressman and Vietnamese language training classes for the Lao National Assembly Secretariat have received special attention and organization from the Vietnamese National Assembly.

Visits, business trips and exchanges at all levels between the two countries' National Assembly are organized regularly. At the same time, the two sides continue to unify their positions and coordinate closely at inter-parliamentary forums in the region and in the international arena. Comrade Tran Thanh Man affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly is always ready to share experiences and fully support Laos in management, supervision, building policies, legal institutions, and advising to the Lao National Assembly on important national issues.

Attending the 14th AIPA Advisory Group Conference this time, Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Sounthone Xayachack was very happy and thanked the respectful invitation from the Vietnamese National Assembly. The work of organizing the conference and welcoming guests of the host country was highly praised and appreciated by the Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly, especially the topic discussed at the conference is a common issue of concern among countries in the region. On his return to the beautiful pearl island of Phu Quoc, comrade Sounthone Xayachack congratulated the strong rise in tourism development of Kien Giang province.

The Lao National Assembly is urgently preparing for the organization of the first National Summit of the three countries Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia to take place in December 2023. In 2024, Laos will also take on great responsibility as Chair of ASEAN and Chair of AIPA. Therefore, the Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly expressed his hope to receive experience sharing and enthusiastic support from the Vietnamese National Assembly to help Laos successfully undertake the above responsibilities.

In response to the suggestions from the Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly, Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man completely agreed, and emphasized that Vietnam always stands side by side, supports and assists the Lao National Assembly in organizing the first National Summit of the three countries of Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia as well as excellent performance as Chairman of ASEAN and Chairman of AIPA in 2024.

Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man also proposed that the National Assembly of the two countries continue to closely monitor the implementation of the signed Cooperation Agreement. In addition, the activities of the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Groups, the exchange of delegations, and the sharing of professional experiences between the Committees of the two National Assembly need to be further promoted. Key projects invested by Vietnam in Laos also need supervision from the National Assembly of the two countries to achieve high results, contributing to cultivating the great friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries of Vietnam. - Laos becomes deeper and more durable./.