VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received visiting Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Sommad Pholsena in Hanoi on August 9.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received Lao Minister of Public Works

and Transport Sommad Pholsena in Hanoi on August 9. (Photo: VNA)

At the reception, Phuc applauded the visit, which took place when the two countries are engaged in organising a series of activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and 35 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

He suggested that the two countries’ transport sectors strengthen cooperation and mutual consultations on bilateral and multilateral issues, especially activities to transport tourists by road and expand the East-West corridor.

For his part, Sommad Pholsena spoke highly of the Vietnamese experts’ assistance to Laos’ transport infrastructure and development over the past time.

He suggested Vietnam exchange professional knowledge and experience with Laos in all aspects, especially in the transport sector, as well as continue helping Laos build its transport development plan.

Earlier, the Lao minister held talks with Vietnamese Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang during which the two sides reviewed their transport cooperation over the past time.

They noted with pleasure good results of the cooperation projects, including the 2E Road project which is scheduled to be completed later this year and the start of preliminary surveys on a route from Phuthitphong in Luang Prabang province to Naxon near Dien Bien Dong district of Vietnam’s Dien Bien province.

The two sides have kicked off the full implementation of single-window inspection and single-stop inspection (SWI/SSI) at the Lao Bao-Densavanh border gate and are considering applying this procedure at other border gates.

In the spirit of an agreement between the two Governments on Vietnam’s Vung Ang port signed on July 20, 2001, to boost travels and economic development along the East-West corridor, the two transport ministries have agreed to create favourable conditions for the Laos-Australia joint venture to transport refined ores from Laos for export via Vung Ang port.

The two ministries also agreed to continue exchanging experience in appraising the quality of transport works, traffic safety and personnel training as well as further strengthen cooperation in aviation, road and transit transport.

The two sides also agreed to work together in implementing subregional and regional projects, including the development triangle project and transport cooperation projects in the framework of ASEAN and the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS).

During their stay from August 8-13, the Lao delegation will visit several transport infrastructure projects and study cooperation possibilities with central Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh and Quang Tri provinces.

Laos, Vietnam strengthen transport cooperation

Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang held talks with the Lao Minister of Transport and Public Works Sommat Pholsena in Hanoi on August 9.

Both sides agreed that the 2E road project linking Tan Trang of Vietnam and Muong Khoa of Laos will be inaugurated by the end of this year and will cooperate in seeking a Republic of Korean partner to invest in a Vientiane-Thakhet - Mu Gia - Tan Ap – Vung Ang railway project, as well as a road linking Laos’ Sekong province to the Laos-Vietnam border.

They said that after fully implementing the single-stop/single-window inspection at the Lao Bao – Densavanh border checkpoint, the model will be replicated at other border gates.

The two ministers also agreed to promote the further exchange of experience in quality assessment of transport projects and personnel training.

Both sides will strengthen ties in aviation, land transport, and transit delivery, as well as in implementing regional and sub-regional projects, including the triangular development project.

VNN/VOV/VNA