Vietnam, Laos Plan to Help Minorities

Vietnam and Laos should continue to strengthen experiences sharing in ethnic affairs, especially the implementation of poverty reduction and resettlement programs. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung made the suggestion at a reception for a delegation from the Lao National Assembly's Committee for Ethnic Affairs led by its head, Duangdy Outthachak, in Hanoi yesterday. Hung said the visit intensified the co-ordination between the two countries' law making bodies. Hung said he valued the outcomes reached at a working session between delegations from Viet Nam National Assembly's Ethnic Council and the Lao National Assembly's Committee for Ethnic Affairs. The two sides agreed on measures to renovate co-ordination of work relating to ethnic minority groups, helping them understand the special relations between Viet Nam and Laos. Earlier on the same day, a delegation from the National Assembly's Ethnic Council led by its Chairman, K'sor Phuoc, had a working session with the visiting Lao counterpart to share experiences. While in Viet Nam from May 12-16, the Lao delegation will pay working visits to the northern provinces of Cao Bang and Lang Son. (Vietnam News May 14)