Leaders of Vietnamese, Lao legislatures meet on WCSP 6 sidelines in Geneva
Both sides agreed to promote meaningful joint activities in 2025, including preparations for the upcoming visit to Vietnam by the Lao Party General Secretary and President on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day of Vietnam.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (L) receives Vice President of the Lao NA Sounthone Xayachack on July 30. (Photo: VNA)
Geneva (VNA) - Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man on July 30 received Vice President of the Lao NA Sounthone Xayachack on the sidelines of the sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (WCSP 6) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Chairman Man extended his warm greetings to Lao NA President Saysomphone Phomvihane and other high-ranking leaders of the Lao Party and State. He also conveyed the regards from Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, to General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
Congratulating Laos on its socio-economic achievements in the first half of the year, the top Vietnamese legislator welcomed the increasingly close and effective cooperation between the two legislatures, including joint efforts in implementing the Vietnam-Laos Joint Statement, the agreement between the two Politburos, the cooperation agreement between the two Governments, and the cooperation programme between the two NAs, contributing to deepening the special Vietnam–Laos relationship in a stable and sustainable manner.
He also offered his sincere sympathy to the Lao people, especially local authorities and families affected by Typhoon Wipha, expressing his hope that they will soon overcome the current difficulties.
For her part, Sounthone thanked Vietnam for its continued support and solidarity, affirming that the Lao Party, State and NA greatly value the special relationship between the two countries.
She also congratulated Vietnam on the country’s achievements, particularly in reorganising its administrative apparatus and building a two-tier local administration system, and shared updates on Laos’s own reforms at the central level.
Both sides agreed to promote meaningful joint activities in 2025, including preparations for the upcoming visit to Vietnam by the Lao Party General Secretary and President on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day of Vietnam.
They committed to enhance bilateral and multilateral parliamentary cooperation and accelerate the compilation of a commemorative book marking 50 years of ties be𓃲tween the two NAs./.
The Vietnamese top legislator noted that the bilateral relations have seen remarkable progress, with growing political trust between the two Parties and States, increasingly comprehensive and effective cooperation mechanisms, and closer legislative ties.
Vietnamese and Lao officials reiterated their resolve to further deepen the Vietnam–Laos great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, while maintaining close coordination at multilateral platforms and on regional issues.
Party General Secretary To Lam said since Vietnam and the RoK established their diplomatic ties in 1992 and upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022, they have enjoyed expanded collaboration, delivering tangible benefits to their peoples and businesses.
The state visit to the RoK by Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse was a great success, marking a significant milestone and opening a new chapter in the Vietnam–RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
In any circumstances, the Lao People’s Army will always stand shoulder to shoulder with its Vietnamese counterpart to safeguard both nations and nurture their great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.
State President Luong Cuong sent a congratulatory message to President of the Republic of Ecuador Daniel Noboa on the occasion of the 216th National Day of the South American country (August 10).
Vietnam and the RoK should maintain regular exchanges at all levels, especially high level, across the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and people-to-people channels; expand cooperation in diplomacy, national defence-security, economy, and sci-tech; and effectively realise existing cooperation mechanisms and agreements, said Party leader To Lam.
Party General Secretary Lam called on the RoK to help enhance the capacity of Vietnamese firms to integrate more deeply into the global supply chains of Korean companies, and to encourage Korean businesses to expand investment in Vietnam, particularly in infrastructure development, high-tech electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and smart cities.
Vietnamese brides in the Republic of Korea urged educational support, particularly access to Vietnamese language classes for their children, age-appropriate curricula, and resources for single mothers while meeting with Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary To Lam.
President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Jae Myung emphasised that the first visit to the RoK by General Secretary Lam in his capacity as the top leader of Vietnam holds special significance as it creates strong momentum for enhancing mutual understanding, strengthening political trust, and further promoting the RoK – Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the next phase.
The supervision team urged the Government to promptly issue a national human resources development strategy until 2030, with a vision to 2050, and ensure sufficient funding for strategy implementation.
Regarding the East Sea issue, Vietnam reaffirmed its consistent stance of solving all disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The leaders noted that the two sides had agreed to turn scientific and technological cooperation into a pillar and a new highlight of bilateral relations.
This is a crucial session to consider and give opinions on a wide range of issues to be submitted to the NA's 10th sitting – the final of the current term, which will review the 2021–2026 tenure and prepare for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s first general election.
The signed documents include a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on scientific and technological cooperation, an MoU on copyright and related rights cooperation, and another on strengthening collaboration in renewable energy.
Vietnam’s participation in AMNEX 3 demonstrates its commitment as a member of the ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM) and responds to the invitation of the Royal Malaysian Navy, showing support for multilateral international activities hosted by Malaysia.
Since the two countries established their diplomatic ties in 1992, the bilateral relationship has become a model of a very special, effective, and substantive partnership.
Addressing the meeting, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his pleasure at meeting a large number of Vietnamese living and working in the RoK, acknowledging and appreciating their efforts in contributing to the growing Vietnam–RoK partnership.
He also welcomed the “Vietnam Private Sector Panorama” as a platform for dialogue, awareness-raising, and inspiring a wealth-creation movement, emphasising that it must deliver tangible results.
During a meeting on August 10 in Seoul with 100 representatives from the RoK’s intellectuals, associations, people’s organisations, businesses, and non-governmental organisations operating in Vietnam, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his gratitude to Korean friendship, economic, cultural associations, universities, research institutes, individuals, and NGOs for their significant contributions to nurturing the Vietnam–RoK relationship.
