The official visit to Laos by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is a success, contributing to realising diplomatic policy set by the 13th National Party Congress which advocates valuing the development of ties with neighbouring and ASEAN countries, with the top priority given to Laos, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Speaking with the press, Minister Son said the January 11-12 visit at the invitation of Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone was the first made by the Vietnamese PM, wrapping up the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

PM Chinh was also the first foreign leader to visit Laos in 2023 and the first foreign partner welcomed by the Lao PM since he took office.

The Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee’s 45th meeting, co-chaired by the two PMs, was also the first to return to Laos after four years of being held in Vietnam.

With a busy schedule of nearly 20 activities in about 30 hours, Son said PM Chinh had held talks with his Lao counterpart, paid courtesy calls to the Lao Party General Secretary and State President, met the President of National Assembly, received Chairman of the Central Committee of Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, visited former leaders of the Lao Party and State, co-chaired the 45th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, attended and delivered a speech at the Vietnam-Laos investment conference.

Both sides signed 10 cooperation documents to further boost ties across economic diplomacy, digital partnership, judicial assistance in civil affairs, education-training, finance-banking, health care, waterway transport and training of diplomatic officials.

Son said the visit has brought about comprehensive, substantial and specific results. A highlight of which was the closing ceremony of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 co-chaired by the two PMs. It was an important event to review a successful year of bilateral special relationship.

Apart from political, defence and economic ties, both sides also agreed to keep improving the quality of cooperation in education-training, justice, sci-tech, culture, tourism, people-to-people and locality-to-locality cooperation, particularly border provinces.

During the 45th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, they vowed to continue upholding the effectiveness of joint projects last year, fixing obstacles and accelerating key projects.

The two sides also affirmed determination to work closely together and offer mutual support at regional and global multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

The two Government leaders pledged to maintain ASEAN’s solidarity and central role, as well as ASEAN’s common stance on strategic issues, including the East Sea issue.

The Vietnamese PM expressed readiness to help Laos successfully take over international tasks in the near future such as ASEAN/AIPA chairmanship in 2024.

Son concluded that with the above achievements, the visit has generated a new impetus for Vietnam-Laos special cooperative ties for the benefit of the two nations and for peace, stability and development in the region.

Prime Minister concludes visit to Laos with success

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh wrapped up his two-day official visit to Laos on January 12, during which he co-chaired the 45th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee.

This is the first visit by PM Chinh to Laos, marking the successful conclusion of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

He is the first foreign leader to visit Laos in 2023 and also the first foreign guest that the new Lao PM has welcomed in 2023.

During his 30-hour stay in Laos, PM Chinh engaged in 20 different activities, including talks with his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, and meetings with incumbent and former Party and State leaders of Laos.

He and the Lao PM chaired and joined many important events of the two countries, including the closing ceremony of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, the 45th session of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, and a Vietnam-Laos investment cooperation conference.

Both Vietnamese and Lao leaders reiterated the consistent policy of the two Parties and States towards each other, affirming that they always give highest priority to reinforcing and promoting the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

They agreed to work closely together to implement bilateral high-level agreements, while continuing to optimise their tradition of close and trustworthy collaboration in politics, defence and security, enhancing the efficiency and quality of cooperation among Party agencies, ministries, sectors, legislative bodies, the fronts, and unions of the two countries.

They pledged to support each other in building independent and self-reliant economies, extensively and effectively integrating into the world, and advancing to socialism.
 PM Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone at a ceremony to sign important agreements between the two countries (Photo: VNA)
The two sides concurred to work hard together to realise the bilateral cooperation strategy for the 2021-2030 period, and an agreement on Vietnam-Laos collaboration in the 2021-2025 period as well as other deals in all fields.

PM Chinh stressed the need for the two sides to bolster economic and investment partnership to match their sound political relations.

The two sides agreed to promote joint efforts in improving the business and investment environment in each country and foster connections between the two economies.

Leaders of the two sides concurred to maintain two-way trade growth of at least 10-15% per year, and expand ties in justice, science-technology, culture, tourism, people-to-people exchange, and collaboration among localities, especially those along the shared border.

Vietnam and Laos also agreed to strengthen cooperation in information and communications, and education-training. Leaders of the two sides underlined the need to educate the youth of the two sides on the special ties between the two countries.

During PM Chinh's visit, the two sides signed 10 cooperation agreements in finance-banking, transport, economic diplomacy, science-technology, ICT, education and training, and health care, creating an important legal corridor for the promotion of bilateral partnership in all fields.

PM Chinh underlined that the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 was a success, motivating the growth of bilateral relations for the benefit of both peoples.

Source: VNA