Representing the will and aspirations of the people
The AIPA-45 General Assembly is taking place at a time when ASEAN continues to prioritise strengthening Community building, striving to complete the Master Plan 2025. Alongside this, four strategic areas of cooperation on political security, economics, socio-culture, and connectivity are being developed for the next phase, based on the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 guidelines, aiming for a resilient, dynamic, innovative, and people-centred ASEAN.
In his opening remarks, the Speaker of the Lao National Assembly, who is also the Chair of AIPA-45, and the brief messages from the heads of delegations all agreed that the AIPA General Assembly is a significant event. It serves as a forum for the parliaments of ASEAN member states to exchange views and perspectives on promoting common goals, setting future directions, and taking action to achieve the shared aspirations of AIPA and ASEAN.
This is appropriate in the rapidly changing regional and global landscape, with complex and unpredictable developments that present opportunities and unprecedented challenges for ASEAN and the international community.
The primary and continuous concern of the countries in the region is cooperation in development and maintaining peace, stability, security, and prosperity. These aspirations are reflected in the ongoing economic recovery efforts in many countries.
Leaders of Laos and other National Assembly/Parliament leaders present in Vientiane agreed that AIPA plays a vital role as the legislative body, representing the will and aspirations of the people of ASEAN member states, with its core mission being to support ASEAN in pursuing common goals and delivering practical benefits.
Therefore, the theme of the AIPA-45 General Assembly, “The Role of Parliaments in Strengthening ASEAN Connectivity and Inclusive Growth,” aligns with the theme of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 of “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” which aims to strengthen regional connectivity and resilience, promote infrastructure development, and improve the legal framework across several key areas.
AIPA plays a crucial role in promoting cooperation within ASEAN as well as with external partners, in enacting legislation, disseminating legal information, ratifying conventions, and actively advancing the implementation of action plans within the framework of ASEAN cooperation.
A unique traditional relationship
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s three-day schedule during his first official visit to Laos and his participation in AIPA-45 in his new role achieved many positive results. This official visit to Laos highlighted the unique traditional relationship between Vietnam and Laos, characterised by their unparalleled solidarity and comprehensive support for Laos in its renewal, protection, and nation-building efforts.
In an interview with the accompanying reporters, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos, Nguyen Minh Tam, stated that during the meetings, the Vietnamese and Lao sides updated each other on the situation of their respective parties, countries, the activities of their National Assemblies, and the international and regional issues of mutual concern.
Both sides highly appreciated the results of recent cooperation between the two countries in various fields. They engaged in frank, substantive, and open discussions, reaching a high level of consensus on the directions for future cooperation, including strategic issues and specific measures to effectively implement high-level agreements and bilateral agreements between the two governments.
The Chairman of our National Assembly and Lao leaders also expressed great interest in implementing the cooperation agreement between the two National Assemblies to deepen the relationship between the two countries and make it more effective and substantial, enhancing the efficiency of cooperation between the two parliaments in the future.
Both parties reaffirmed that the solidarity and mutual support between the two Parties, two States, and two National Assemblies is an objective factor, a historical rule, and one of the greatest sources of strength that is vital to the cause of building and defending the fatherland of each country.
“This visit once again reaffirms the consistent policy of the Party and the State of Vietnam to always give the highest priority to and value the special Vietnam-Laos relationship. It affirms Vietnam’s strong and comprehensive support for Laos in its process of renewal, protection, and nation-building, and it demonstrates the trust and close ties between the senior leaders of the two Parties, two countries, as well as between the two National Assembly Chairmen,” Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam emphasised.
