(VNA): Lao Prime Minister Boungnang Volachit praised the good results of Laos-Vietnam co-operation and mutual assistance in education and training in the recent past while receiving Vietnamese Education and Training Minister Nguyen Minh Hien in Vientiane on February 28.

Minister Hien is leading a delegation of the Education and Training Ministry on a visit to Laos between February 25-28.

The Lao PM thanked the Vietnamese Party, Government and people for their valuable assistance to Laos, especially in education and personnel training - areas of top priority in Laos's national development plan. The Lao leader said he believed that the two education ministries would actively implement co-operation agreements signed between the two countries to further promote co-operation and mutual assistance in education and training at both central and provincial levels.

Minister Hien highlighted the recent achievements of the Lao educational sector and informed the Lao PM about the results of his working session with the Lao Ministry of Education.

During a working session between the Vietnamese delegation and a delegation of the Lao Education Ministry led by Minister Phimmason Leuangkhamma, on February 25, the two sides informed each other of the educational situation in their respective countries and exchanged experiences in educational reform.

On this occasion, a protocol on educational co-operation for 2005 was signed. Under the agreement, Vietnam will continue to help Lao in training personnel at doctoral and master and graduate levels, provide Laos with documents, textbooks and teaching plans for specialised training programmes. Laos will continue to receive Vietnamese students to study the Lao language at the national university and create favourable conditions for students of overseas Vietnamese families in Laos to attend classes in Laos on an equal footing with Lao students. The two sides will promote exchanges of delegations and information as well as co-operation at regional and international forums./.