Hanoi (VNA) – Permanent Deputy Prime MinisterTruong Hoa Binh has assured Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone that theVietnamese Party, State and government always give top priority to developingspecial ties with Laos.

During the talks in Hanoi on October 23, Binh suggested thetwo sides effectively realise agreements reached by their leaders and theoutcomes of the 39th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Commission.

He asked for reviewing bilateral coordination in 2017,proposing breakthrough measures to improve efficiency of cooperation for 2018and accelerating the implementation of the Vietnam-Laos cooperation agreementfor 2016-2020.

The two nations should devise steps to enhance partnershipacross politics, national defence-security, economy, trade, investment,transport and tourism, he said, adding that Vietnam is ready to shareexperience with Laos in stabilising macro-economy, increasing investment, boostingtourism and manufacturing in combination with rural development.

Sonexay Siphandon, who is in Vietnam from October 23-29,vowed to do his best to foster traditional friendship and special solidaritybetween the two nations.

He agreed that the two economies need to increaseconnectivity in terms of trade, investment and transport.

He expressed his wish that Vietnam will share its experiencein management, macro-economic development programmes, and manufacturing modelsin combination with tourism and agricultural development in rural areas.

Both sides agreed to jointly celebrate the Vietnam-Laos Yearof Solidarity and Friendship 2017, including preparing for the upcoming Vietnamvisit by Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith and educatingyoung generations of the two countries on the Vietnam-Laos specialsolidarity.-VNA