National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man left Hanoi on October 17 afternoon for an official visit to Laos and attendance at the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45), at the invitation of President of the Lao NA and Chair of AIPA-45 Saysomphone Phomvihane, according to a report from the Government News.

The visit, made from October 17-19, reaffirms Vietnam’s consistent policy of giving priority to the development of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, the Government News remarked, adding that it also indicates Vietnam's strong and comprehensive support for Laos in its renewal process and national development.

Meanwhile, according to the Government News, the top Vietnamese legislator's participation in the AIPA-45 shows the Vietnamese NA's proactive and responsible engagement, alongside the parliaments of member countries, in strengthening the central role, solidarity, and unity of ASEAN.

The AIPA-45 is taking place from October 17-23 in Vientiane under the theme "The Role of Parliaments in Enhancing Connectivity and Inclusive Growth of ASEAN".

Vice Chairwoman of the NA Committee for External Relations Le Thu Ha was quoted by the Government News as saying that Vietnam is poised to propose four initiatives/resolutions at various AIPA meetings, namely AIPA Young Parliamentarians' Meeting, the AIPA Committee on Social Matters, the AIPA Conference of Women Parliamentarians, and the AIPA Committee on Economic Matters.