Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Lao Party General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith toast the solidarity and friendship between the the two countries. (Photo: VNA)

The joint statement stated that during this visit, the two sides informed each other about the situation of each Party and each country. They exchanged and agreed on guidelines and measures to continue developing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in an extensive, effective and substantive manner. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The two sides expressed their firm belief that the cause of renewal, national construction and defence in Vietnam and Laos will continue to gain greater achievements, constantly improving the role and position of each country in the region and in the world, firmly towards the socialist path.

The two countries affirmed that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos are an invaluable asset of the two peoples. They emphasised the goal of national independence and socialism, and affirmed to continue to stand side by side and support each other in the construction and development cause of each country.

The two sides sincerely thanked each other for the great and valuable support and assistance they have given each other during the past struggle for national liberation and unification, as well as in the reform, national construction, development and defence today.

They also agreed to continue deepening political relations to achieve greater efficiency; closely cooperate in strategic issues related to security and development of each country; maintain visits and meetings between senior leaders of the two parties and countries; and build some historical monuments of significance in the Vietnam - Laos relations.

The two countries agreed to make efforts to improve cooperation efficiency, to step up the connection of transport, energy, telecommunications and tourism infrastructure and strengthen the exchange of experience in macroeconomic management between the two countries. Preferential policies will be issued to encourage enterprises of the two countries to invest in the fields of potential and strengths of the two sides, while solutions will be synchronously deployed to increase two-way trade turnover, said the joint statement.

The two sides have closely coordinated in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic and promoted cooperation and support to each other to overcome difficulties for socio-economic development.

They continue to well implement the agreements on immigrants, consular affairs and labour between the two countries, create favorable conditions for Vietnamese in Laos and Lao in Vietnam to live, work and study in accordance with each country's law and international practices.

The two sides emphasised the importance and agreed to further strengthen cooperation on defence and security, ensuring solid support for each other, build the Vietnam-Laos border line of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development as well as effectively implement the protocols and cooperation plans on defence, security and border. They also agreed to continue to make joint efforts to search and repatriate the remains of Vietnamese martyrs, volunteers and experts who died in Laos.

The two sides reached consensus on enhancing timely information exchange, close consultation, coordination, and effective mutual support at international and regional forums, strengthen coordination with Cambodia to effectively implement the Agreement between the three Prime Ministers on the Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam Development Triangle (CLV), and actively implement the Action Plan to connect the three economies of Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam by 2030, according to the joint statement.

The two countries vowed to continue to strengthen cooperation and close coordination with each other, and with relevant countries and international organisations to manage, develop, and use effectively and sustainably the Mekong River's water resource and related resources to harmonise the interests of countries in the Mekong River Basin.

They agreed to work closely together within the framework of the Mekong River Commission and other relevant cooperation mechanisms, and promote the integration of sub-regional cooperation mechanisms into the process of building the ASEAN Community as well as encourage ASEAN countries and partners outside the region to actively participate in support and investment in the Mekong sub-region.

The two sides emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, and of settling disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). They pledged to work with relevant parties to promote the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon achieve an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international laws, including UNCLOS 1982. They also reaffirmed their high consensus with ASEAN's basic positions on the East Sea as stated in the ASEAN Declaration.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents between the two countries.

The two sides highly appreciated the good results and historical significance of the visit.

Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith invited General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and senior leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam to pay an official friendship visit to Laos.

The invitation was accepted with pleasure. The specific time of the visits will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

Vietnam, Laos target more comprehensive, practical cooperation

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith on June 29 agreed to closely coordinate to promote cooperation between the two nations more comprehensively and practically.

During their meeting in Hanoi, President Phuc congratulated Thongloun on his election as General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos.

Thongloun’s selection of Vietnam for his first overseas trip after taking office demonstrates the importance the Lao Party and State attach to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, helping to create new momentum for their close-knit, faithful and trusting ties, he said.

The Vietnamese President expressed his belief that the Lao people will successfully realise the Resolution adopted at the 11th National Congress of the LPRP and the 2021-2025 socio-economic development plan.

For his part, Thongloun congratulated Vietnam on the success of the 13th National Party Congress and the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for 2021-2026.

He also lauded great achievements the Vietnamese people have recorded in the process of national construction and development, and international integration, which, he said, have served as a source of encouragement for the Lao revolutionary cause.

Reviewing mutual support in the COVID-19 combat, the two leaders pledged to continue their joint efforts to cope with the pandemic, soon recover socio-economic activities and promote sustainable development.

Thongloun said the great material and spiritual support of the Vietnamese Party, State and people have significantly contributed to Laos’s successes in pandemic containment over the past time.

President Phuc also appreciated the Lao side’s donation of 300,000 USD to aid Vietnam’s COVID-19 fight, saying it reflects the fraternity between the two nations.

The two leaders expressed their delight to see the Vietnam-Laos relations thriving further despite impacts of COVID-19. Political ties have been consolidated as both sides have been striving to maintain high-level delegate exchanges and meetings, particularly after the successful organisation of the National Party Congresses and the election of new leaders in the two countries. These have contributed to help the countries find orientations and dynamics for bilateral cooperation in all areas in the new term.

The two leaders also showed their determination to effectively implement signed agreements and remained committed to strengthening partnership in security and defence, economy, trade, investment, agriculture, and education and training; and promoting locality-to-locality cooperation.

They agreed to coordinate in organising celebrations of the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 45th year since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation next year.

On this occasion, host and guest discussed cooperation between the two nations at multilateral forums, especially the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Greater Mekong Sub-region, and collaboration among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

The Vietnamese President congratulated Laos on being elected as Vice President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), reflecting the increasingly growing prestige and position of Laos on the international arena.

Thongloun invited Phuc and his spouse to pay a visit to Laos at an appropriate time. The Vietnamese leader accepted the invitation with pleasure.

The Lao leader and his entourage left Hanoi in the early afternoon of June 29, wrapping up their official friendship visit to Vietnam.

Top Lao leader visits Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

Lao Party General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith on June 29 talked with officials, lecturers and students of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) that has helped to train many key Party leaders of Laos.

Those who have undergone training at the academy have become valuable human resources for the cause of national defence, construction and development in Laos, he said.

The HCMA has significantly contributed to promoting the relationship between the two countries, the Lao leader stressed.

Thongloun Sisoulith recalled the great contributions and sacrifices of Vietnamese soldiers and people during the Lao people’s struggle for national liberation in the past, and suggested the two countries continue efforts in preserving and enhancing the bilateral ties.

HCMA President Nguyen Xuan Thang said, assigned by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Vietnamese State, the academy admits nearly 500 Lao officials for training courses each year.

The HCMA will step up cooperation in the training of officials, managers and scientists, and increase policy consultations with Lao agencies, firstly the National Academy of Politics and Public Administration of Laos, considering this a leading important political task in international collaboration.

Accordingly, the two sides will focus on carrying out a project on studying the thoughts of President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane, and another building the Lao academy’s office in Champasak province.

On this occasion, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in coordination with the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations and the HCMA organised a photo exhibition at the academy, featuring the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Lao leader receives President of Vietnam Fatherland Front

Lao Party General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith on June 29 hosted a reception for President of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien and leaders of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, and the Liaison Committee for former Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers and Military Experts in Laos.

Chien thanked Thongloun as well as other Lao Party and State leaders for their attention to and creating favourable conditions for the Front’s operations and its member organisations, and friendship associations of the two countries.

While congratulating Laos on the success of the 11th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), Chien said the visit, the first overseas trip of the top Lao leader, shows the close relationship between the two nations.

Member organisations of the VFF have coordinated with their Lao counterparts in organising practical activities to strengthen the solidarity between the two countries’ people, thus further nurturing the Vietnam - Laos special relations, Chien said, adding that they have also served as a bridge to boost bilateral cooperation across fields.

He hoped that the Lao leader will facilitate coordination in the front work between the two countries in the time to come.

Regarding Vietnam’s efforts in the fight against COVID-19, the VFF President said despite facing many difficulties due to impacts of the pandemic, a number of Lao organisations and businesses have supported Vietnam in the combat.

For his part, the Lao leader affirmed the importance of the Vietnam – Laos special solidarity, stressing that the bilateral relations have been developing fruitfully across fields, bringing practical benefits to the people of both nations, including cooperation between the VFF and the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC).

He highly valued recent achievements made by the VFF, stressing that it has played an important role in mobilising, gathering and promoting the great national unity bloc.

Acknowledging great contributions and sacrifices of Vietnamese experts and volunteers in Laos during wartime, the Lao leader wished that young generations of the two countries would continue to be educated and provided with information the Laos-Vietnam combat alliance, thus improving their sense of responsibility in nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

He hoped that, with its responsibility, the VFF and its member organisations, and friendship associations will actively coordinate and share experiences with the LFNC, and promote cooperation between local front agencies of Laos and Vietnam./. 

Lao Party leader wraps up Vietnam visit

Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse left Hanoi on June 29, wrapping up the official friendly visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and their spouses.

During the visit, Sisoulith held talks with Party General Secretary Trong, met former Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and former President Tran Duc Luong, held working sessions with State President Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

He received delegations from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association and the Liaison Committee for former Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers and Military Experts in Laos.

On the occasion, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) partnered with the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations and the HCMA to hold a photo exhibition featuring the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Laos. On display were nearly 30 photos chosen from the VNA’s national photo archive.

The two sides issued a joint statement which affirms the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership as an invaluable common asset of the two nations and a factor ensuring their national development. The two Parties, States and peoples will take responsibility for maintaining and fostering bilateral ties in various areas, upholding the spirit of independence, self-reliance, fair and mutually beneficial cooperation, and creating favourable conditions for prosperity of each country, and for sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and the world.

They agreed to enhance the timely sharing of information and consultations, work closely and effectively together at regional and global forums, especially within the framework of ASEAN cooperation and ASEAN-led mechanisms, the United Nations, the Greater Mekong Sub-region, the World Trade Organisation and the Asia-Europe Meeting.

Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining peace, stability and ensuring security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea, as well as settling disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The two Party leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements, including the Vietnam – Laos cooperation strategy agreement for the 2021-2030 period, the Vietnam – Laos cooperation agreement for the 2021-2025 period and other important deals.

The Lao leader invited Party General Secretary Trong, President Phuc and Vietnamese Party and State leaders to visit Laos. The Vietnamese leaders expressed their sincere thanks and accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Upon returning to Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith sent a letter to Party General Secretary Trong and President Phuc, thanking them and other Party and State leaders of Vietnam along with the Vietnamese people for their warm and respectful reception during the Lao leader’s visit to Vietnam.

Sisoutlith said he appreciated the results of his talks with the Vietnamese Party General Secretary, State President and senior leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam. 

He affirmed his belief that the success of his official visit to Vietnam, as well as the exchanges between senior leaders of the two parties and two countries, will contribute to the traditional friendship as well as the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, countries and peoples./.

Source: VNA

Top Vietnamese, Lao leaders witness signing of bilateral cooperation pacts

General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith arrived in Hanoi on Sunday and signed various agreements with his Vietnamese counterpart.