HA NOI (VNS) — Viet Nam was willing to support Laos in its five-year socio-economic plan by sharing experience, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh told his Lao counterpart Bunpon Buttanavong in a meeting in Ha Noi yesterday.
Ninh pushed for increased negotiations and the signing of a new trade deal, making it easier to achieve a trade value of US$2 billion by 2015.
Both Deputy PMs agreed to facilitate visits at all levels in a bid to share experience in management, socio-economic development and Party-building.
They expressed their appreciation for the joint preparations for the 37th meeting of their inter-government committee and the progress made in trade and investment, with bilateral trade exceeding $1 billion for the first time last year.
Both ministers highlighted the need to accelerate strategic co-operation projects, including the erection of a statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Vientiane to mark his 125th birthday and the 85th anniversary of the Indochinese Communist Party, as well as other celebrations next year.
The guest vowed to do his utmost to foster friendship between the two countries. — VNS
