Solidarity Stressed in Viet PM's Visit to Laos

   HANOI (Aug. 14) XINHUA - Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet  
returned home  today after concluding his three-day official visit 
to  Laos.
   During his stay in Laos, the prime minister called on Lao 
President  Nouhak  Phoumsavan who acclaimed Kiet's visit as "a 
significant event  and a vivid manifestation  of the special 
solidarity, friendship and  cooperation" between the two 
countries.
   Vo Van Kiet also held talks with his Lao counterpart Khamtay 
Siphandone  on the  enhancement of bilateral cooperation in 
economies, trade,  transportation,  communications and education.
   The two prime ministers exchanged views on regional and 
international  issues of  common concern, and their cooperation 
within ASEAN  (Association of South-East  Asian Nations) received 
special attention.
   They spoke highly of the achievements of ASEAN during the past 
30  years, and  stressed the significance of the expansion of 
ASEAN to 10  members. They hoped  Cambodia would become an ASEAN 
member in the near  future.
   During the visit, Vietnam and Laos signed an agreement on 
cooperation  in agriculture  and rural development in the final 
years of this  century.
   The Vietnamese media said the outcome of the visit would bring 
"the  traditional  friendship and special solidarity and 
comprehensive  cooperation " between Vietnam  and Laos to a new 
high.