Prime Minister Phan Van Khai made the statement while receiving a delegation of senior officials from the Lao Ministry of Public Security, led by Minister Thongbanh Sengaphone, in Hanoi on January 18.

Mr Khai lauded the delegation's visit to Vietnam and spoke highly of the co-operation between the two Public Security Ministries in recent years.

Meanwhile, the Lao Minister said that current co-operation has been appropriate to the orientation plans drawn up by both countries. He thanked the Vietnamese Government for its active co-operation with the Lao Ministry of Public Security, and said he believes the two ministries would further strengthen their positive relations.

Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation, led by Minister of Public Security Le Hong Anh, held talks with its Lao counterpart.

The two sides agreed that co-operation between Vietnam and Laos in national security and social order has been consolidated but needs further strengthening to cope with international and regional political complications.

The two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding and a plan to boost co-operation between the two ministries in the coming years.