Laos, Cuba Strengthen Parliamentary Cooperation.

Vientiane: Esteban Lazo Hernández, Politburo member of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba, arrived in Vientiane today for a three-day visit from November 3-6, 2024. During a bilateral meeting between the National Assembly of Laos and the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba, Mr. Saysomphone Phomvihane welcomed Mr. Lazo Hernández's visit to Laos and his participation in celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Cuba. The host also congratulated Mr. Lazo Hernández on his reappointment as President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba in April 2023. According to Lao News Agency, this visit marks Mr. Lazo Hernández's first official trip to Laos in his capacity as President of Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power. Mr. Saysomphone proposed that both legislative bodies continue to implement their memorandum of cooperation, particularly by enhancing delegation exchanges, sharing information and best p ractices on legislative functions, and organizing seminars on topics of shared interest. He further emphasized the importance of urging both governments to concretely and effectively implement agreements and MoUs across various areas, including trade, investment, health, agriculture, education, sports, banking, and legislative collaboration, to deliver tangible benefits for the peoples of Laos and Cuba. Both sides agreed to continue mutual support on regional and international parliamentary platforms, including AIPA and IPU, to jointly promote peace, security, and sustainable development in the region and globally. On behalf of the Lao Party, National Assembly, government, and people, Mr. Saysomphone expressed gratitude to the Cuban Party, National Assembly, government, and people for their long-standing support, both during Laos' national liberation struggle and in its current efforts toward national protection and development. This visit from the Cuban delegation significantly contributes to strengthenin g the friendship and enduring cooperation between the two countries, grounded in socialist ideals shared by both Parties, governments, and peoples, particularly through their national legislative institutions. The two sides have been implementing an MOU on cooperation signed in 2019. The National Assembly of Laos has established friendship parliamentary committees with over 20 countries, including the Laos-Cuba Friendship Parliamentary Committee, chaired by a Politburo member and Vice President of the National Assembly of Laos. This committee serves as a mechanism to enhance relations and cooperation between the two national assemblies and the people of both countries, contributing to peace, stability, and development cooperation regionally and worldwide.