During a meeting celebrating the 40th founding anniversaryof VLFA (January 15, 1975-2015) in Hanoi on January 15, the DeputyPM praised efforts made by the association over the past four decades,saying that these have contributed to deepening the bilateral all-roundties.
The Vietnam-Laos relations see an increasing developmentthanks to joint endeavors made by generations of both sides’ leaders andpeople, Phuc said, expressing his hope that it will continue to grow inall fields in the future.
He urged the association to increaseactivities to link Vietnamese and Lao businesses with a view tostrengthening bilateral economic collaboration and raising two-waytrade.
According to the Vietnamese official, trade betweenVietnam and Laos reached 1.58 billion USD last year, a 34.5 percentannual increase. The two nations have set to lift this to 2 billion USDby late this year.
Vietnam has poured over 5 billion USD in Laos , becoming one of the largest investors in the country.
Currently, nearly 8,000 Lao students are studying in Vietnam while Laos is home to over 400 Vietnamese students.
Thetwo Governments and their cooperation subcommittees are working hard toprepare for the 37th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committeescheduled for late this month in Hanoi , Phuc noted.
At theevent, VLFA President Vu Trong Kim briefed participants on hisassociation’s operations since it was established, with a wide range ofexchange activities to deepen the bilateral ties.
VilayvongBudakham from the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association (LVFA)congratulated VLFA on achievements during its 40-year development,stressing that the two Parties, Governments and peoples must make moreefforts to further forge their special relationship.
LVFA willcollaborate closely with its Vietnamese partner in diversifying forms ofoperation to educate the two peoples, especially young generations,about the traditional Vietnam-Laos relationship, he said.
On theoccasion, Deputy PM Phuc presented the first-class Labour Order to VLFAin recognition of its significant contribution to the bilateralrelations.-VNA