Dung held talks with President Choummaly Sayasone, who is also Lao Party General Secretary, soon after his arrival in Vientiane for the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9), which is scheduled to begin today.

The two leaders expressed their delight at the strengthening of ties between the two nations over the past 50 years.

They spoke highly of the successful organisation of events to mark the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year , which illustrated the importance of special bilateral ties and promoted understanding between the two peoples.

Dung said building economic ties would help cement the bilateral friendship further.

He also congratulated Laos for having become a member of the World Trade Organisation, which he said marked a vital step for the country as it looks to integrate with the international community. He thanked the country for its efforts in preparing to host the ASEM 9, along with other Asia-Europe events this year.

Choummaly said Laos would create favourable conditions to speed up the progress of projects agreed between Vietnam and Laos, and make sure that they meet the required quality and effectiveness.

The two sides agreed to bring two-way trade turnover to a level of US$1 billion this year and $2 billion in 2015. — VNS

Source:Vietnamnews