Reporter: The two neighbouring countries of Vietnam and Laos have maintained the time-honoured friendship and cooperation. How is bilateral cooperation in religious affairs reflected in the special relations?

Mr Keta Koong Bun Mi: We are proud of the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people of Vietnam and Laos, which is demonstrated through understanding between the two front organisations. Religious cooperation is also considered important in further developing the relationship. In addition, many activities relating to this field have been launched in recent times such as sending delegations to increase mutual experiences in religious affairs, organising seminars on religion-related issues and signing a Memorandum of Understanding on religious cooperation.

Notably, during the visit, the LFNC and the Vietnamese Government Committee for Religious Affairs signed the minutes of bilateral cooperation in religious activities, taking a step forward in religious cooperation between the two countries. Over the past few years, this bilateral cooperation has made positive contributions to boosting national construction and development as well as the friendship and all-round cooperation between the two countries.

Reporter: In the current development situation, what is your assessment of the future prosperity of bilateral cooperation in religious activities between Vietnam and Laos?

Mr Keta Koong Bun Mi: It is essential to have new development steps in the two countries’ religious activities due to positive changes in bilateral relations. During this visit, the Vietnamese Government Committee for Religious Affairs and the LFNC signed the minutes of bilateral cooperation in religious activities. Accordingly, both sides will strengthen cooperation in all fields related to religious affairs, boost information dissemination, uphold traditional special solidarity and develop relationships and comprehensive cooperation. They will organize more meetings and seminars on religious affairs in an effort to promote religious progress and contribute to unification, stability and peace in the region and the world. In addition, the Vietnamese Government will also provide us financial assistance to organize training courses for LFNC staff.

The two countries will also tighten special relations, especially between religious agencies in border provinces, and create favourable conditions for delegations of both sides to meet with cadres, village chiefs and officers in order to share experience in religious work and socio-economic development in border areas.

Reporter: Could you talk about State management work on religious affairs, as well as religious freedom in Vietnam now?

Mr Keta Koong Bun Mi: Vietnam and Laos have many similarities in religious affairs. During the Vietnam visit, apart from signing the minutes of bilateral cooperation in religious activities we also learnt a lot from Vietnam in various fields, such as the State management on religious affairs, the issuance of legal documents on religious activities and the orientations for people’s religious activities in accordance with national cultural identity and great national unity.

Regarding issues related to religious freedom, the Vietnamese Party and State always respects and protects the rights of people in their religious activities. Local people are enjoying religious freedom without discrimination in ethnic minorities. We see that people in all localities in Vietnam are very happy as they receive the special attention of the Vietnamese Party and State to religious activities. Most churches and pagodas have been preserved and upgraded and festivals and ritual ceremonies have been organized solemnly. The State management on religious affairs in Vietnam aims to support religious activities, and the Vietnamese Government Committee for Religious Affairs will help the Party and State consolidate great national unity.

Reporter: Thank you.