Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son has asked the Lao National Assembly to join hands to turn Southeast Asia into a region of peace, security and development.

Speaking at a joint meeting between the External Affairs Committees of the two legislative bodies in the central province of Quang Nam yesterday, Son suggested that the two committees work harder to deepen their relationships, particularly in sharing information and experiences in cultivating the special solidarity and friendship between the two nations.

Vice President of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane said Viet Nam and Laos were close friends in the past wars for national salvation and in the present cause of building and defending their homelands.

“In the context of complicated situations in the region and the world, each country is facing many difficulties and challenges, yet many positive changes have been recorded in our bilateral relationships,” said the Lao Vice President.

Parliamentary leaders of the two countries vowed to turn the letters included in the co-operation agreement signed by the two parliaments in April 2007 into specific activities.

* Cypriot delegation praises Communist achievements

Viet Nam would continue to nourish its traditional relationship with Cyprus, said politburo member Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday while receiving a Cyprus’ delegation from the Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL).

Venizelos Zannattos, politburo member of AKEL and head of the Central Economy Committee, who led the visiting delegation, said Viet Nam’s achievements was one example of communist success.

He briefed Phuc who is also minister-chair of the Government Office on AKEL’s recent activities and Cyprus’s current situations. He wished Viet Nam success in implementing the resolution of the 11th National Party Congress and further achievements in its national construction, defence and development.

The Cypriots also held talks with Hoang Binh Quan, member of the Party Central Committee and head of its External Relations Commission.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News