Thailand
Lao, Thai parliament presidents hold talks on ties, cooperation
President of the Lao National Assembly, Ms Pany Yathotou, and her Thai counterpart Pornpech Wichitcholchai have said they highly value the growing ties and cooperation between the two countries, and the two parliaments in particular.
The comments were made when Ms Pany travelled to Thailand on Friday, leading a Lao delegation on an official goodwill visit to the Kingdom at the invitation of the President of the Thai National Legislative Assembly.
During their talks, the presidents of the two parliaments hailed the growing development of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two neighbours, Lao National Television reported.
The governments of both sides have carried out regular visits, including high-level visits, the TV station noted.
The governments have enjoyed sound cooperation through various cooperation mechanisms and frameworks. They have signed more than 60 cooperation agreements, treaties and memorandums of understanding.
The two top legislators referred to an issue in which the two governments agreed to work together to complete land border demarcation by 2020, and finish water-border demarcation by 2021.
In addition, the neighbours have closely cooperated in efforts to maintain security along their shared border.
Two-way trade reached US$6.2 billion in 2017, an increase of 6 percent compared to the year before. Laos still faces a trade deficit with exports to Thailand hitting US$2.2 billion and the rest of the trade value comprising imports.
Thai companies have invested in 758 projects in Laos worth US$4.5 billion, making the Kingdom the second largest foreign investor in the country after China.
The top legislators also hailed the growing trade cooperation in energy between the two Asean member countries.
In 2017, Laos exported 3,801MW of electricity to Thailand. It is expected that the export of energy will rise further to 9,000MW by 2021.
Both sides noted the sound cooperation between the two governments on labour affairs and joint efforts to address human trafficking.
It was reported that Lao workers are employed in Thailand both legally and illegally. Both sides are working together to register and legalise illegal workers.
Ms Pany and Mr Pornpech also hailed the good cooperation between the two parliaments, which hold regular reciprocal visits at various levels.
During her visit, Ms Pany called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The Thai premier said he highly valued the goodwill visit by Ms Pany and her delegation, which contributed to enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation between Laos and Thailand.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Laothai.php