Vietnam, Laos agree to strengthen cooperation

Lao top leaders and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung Tuesday affirmed their determination to join hands in building up mechanism and policies for effective exploitation of the two countries' potential, Vietnam News Agency reported.

During meetings in Laos' capital Vientiane, the two sides agreed to promote effective cooperation in economy, culture, science and technology in the new stage, and strengthen the exchange of delegations from sectors and localities as well as mass organizations of the two countries.

On Tuesday, Dung paid a courtesy visit to Lao Party General Secretary and President Choummaly Sayanone, met with Chairman of the National Assembly Thongsinh Thammavong, and held talks with Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh.

Dung informed the Lao leaders about Vietnam's ongoing active preparations for the annual meeting between the political bureaus under the two parties of the two countries early next year in Vietnam and the 29th session of the Inter-Governmental Committee for Economic, Cultural and Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

Later the day, the two prime ministers witnessed the singing of the supplement to the energy agreement between the two governments, memorandums of understanding on the Sekaman No. 0 and No. 4 hydroelectric development projects with a total capacity of 104 MW, iron and tin exploration, rubber planting and an agreement on preferential tariff.

On Dec. 20, Dung will meet with Vice President Bounnhang Volachit, attend the inaugural ceremony of the Friendship Bridge 2, which is the second bridge across the Mekong River to link Laos with Thailand.

Dung is scheduled to leave Vientiane for Bangkok on Dec. 20 for an official visit to Thailand at the invitation of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

Source: Xinhua