(KPL/VNA) Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man received Vice President of the Lao NA Sommad Pholsena in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on January 21 on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) Executive Committee’s Meeting and the Francophone parliamentary cooperation forum on sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate change.

Man respectfully thanked the Lao NA as well as Sommad personally for leading the Lao NA delegation to attend the forum and the APF Executive Committee’s Meeting which is hosted by the Vietnamese legislature.

He congratulated the great and comprehensive achievements that the Party, State, NA and people of Laos have achieved in recent years and believed that Laos will overcome all challenges, successfully implement the Resolution of the 11th National Congress, prepare for the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, and contribute to building an increasingly prosperous Laos with an increasingly high role and position in the international arena.

Sommad spoke highly of the theme of the forum in the context that countries are facing global challenges such as food security and climate change, especially the initiative in the important speech of the Vietnamese NA Chairman at the opening session of the forum on the morning of January 21.

Man affirmed that Vietnam always gives the highest priority to consolidating and strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, always stand side by side and strongly support Laos’s cause of national construction, protection and development.

The top legislator proposed the two sides prioritise close coordination and jointly monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of agreements signed between the two countries; and continue to maintain regular high-level and all-level contacts and exchanges on all channels, including the NA channel.

On this occasion, Man thanked the NA, agencies, ministries and branches of Laos for creating conditions and supporting Vietnamese businesses and people to do business, live stably and gradually strengthen their legal status in Laos.

Sommad agreed with the proposals of Man and affirmed that he will coordinate with the Vietnamese NA to monitor the implementation of agreements signed between the two countries, especially Vietnam’s investment in Laos in the field of agriculture, so that this cooperation can be more effective.

Expressing his thanks for the sincere and heartfelt help that Vietnam has given to Laos during the past time, he emphasised that the two sides will continue to cultivate the “one of a kind” special solidarity, friendship and cooperation in the world.

KPL