The Vietnamese and Lao National Assemblies need to actively implementcooperation agreements, increase information and expertise sharing, andwork closely together at regional and global inter-parliamentary forumsfor peace, cooperation and development.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung made the suggestion greetinghis visiting Lao counterpart, Pany Yathotou, in Hanoi on January 7.

Hung congratulated Laos on its recentachievements in internal and external relations, especially itssuccessful hosting of the 7 th Asia–Europe Parliamentary PartnershipMeeting, the 9 th Asia–Europe Meeting Summit, the Asia–Europe People’sForum, the Asia–Europe Business Forum, and its membership to the WorldTrade Organisation.

He also highlighted theVietnam–Laos National Assembly Cooperation conference in April last yearin Son La province during the 2012 Vietnam–Laos Solidarity andFriendship Year.

Yathotou said cooperation betweenthe two legislative bodies in 2012 demonstrated their joint efforts tomaintain bilateral friendship and cooperation, contributing to increasedsolidarity between the people of both countries.

Hailing the outcomes of the recent meeting between the two Politburos,Yathotou said its success displays determination to further boost thespecial solidarity between the two Parties, States and peoples.

She hopes leaders from the two legislatures will pay more attention tocooperation programmes between both Governments, especially thosebetween the Vietnam–Laos, Laos–Vietnam Cooperation Sub-committees, toreap practical and effective results.

The Laolegislative leader also held a working session with the Ministry ofNatural Resources and the Vegetable and Fruit Research Institute thesame day.-VNA