Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Committee for External Relations Le Thu Ha (Photo: VNA)

Speaking to the press, Ha said the attendance of NA Chairman Man and the Vietnamese delegation at AIPA-45 reflects the proactive and responsible engagement of the Vietnamese NA alongside the parliaments of member countries. This engagement aims to strengthen ASEAN's central role, unity and solidarity, enhance intra-regional cooperation, and expand multifaceted relations with parliaments both inside and outside the region.

She said Vietnam will propose four initiatives/resolutions at various AIPA meetings, including AIPA Young Parliamentarians’ Meeting, the AIPA Committee on Social Matters, the AIPA Conference of Women Parliamentarians, and the AIPA Committee on Economic Matters.

The Vietnamese delegation will also consider co-sponsoring six resolutions, including five proposed by Laos and one jointly proposed by Indonesia, Laos, and Malaysia.

Ha noted that Man's first visit to Laos in his current capacity is to concretise the high-level agreement between the two Politburos and the Vietnam-Laos Joint Statement, following the state visits by Lao Party General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith in September and State President To Lam in July.

The visit will reaffirm the Party and State’s consistent policy of giving top priority to and treasuring the development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. It underscores Vietnam's strong and comprehensive support for Laos in its renewal process, national construction and defence, while demonstrating the trust and close ties between leaders of the two countries.

During the visit, Man is scheduled to hold talks with his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane, pay a courtesy call to Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, meet with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, and engage in other important meetings. Both sides will discuss and agree on orientations to deepen and improve the effectiveness of the bilateral relationship, particularly between the two legislatures. They will discuss the coordination of their stance on several strategic global and regional issues of mutual concern, she added.