Sisoulith spoke highly of the Vietnamese President’s visit, saying Thuong’s selection of Laos for his first overseas trip in the new position demonstrates the importance Vietnamese Party and State leaders and the President himself attach to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

He used the occasion to thank Vietnam for supporting Laos in socio-economic recovery and development and asked Thuong to convey his best wishes and regards to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other senior leaders of Vietnam.

The host congratulated Vietnam on its great, comprehensive achievements in the implementation of the Resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress and the national socio-economic development plan over the past time, calling them a great source of encouragement to the revolutionary cause in Laos.

For his part, Thuong expressed his delight to pay an official visit to Laos on the occasion of the neighbouring country celebrating the traditional New Year Bunpimay.

He also conveyed New Year wishes from Party General Secretary Trong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Sisoulith himself, and other high-ranking leaders, officials, Party members and people of Laos.

He commended the great, comprehensive achievements the Lao Party, Government and people have attained in national reform and construction, and noted his belief that the country will soon overcome difficulties and challenges to successfully realise targets set at the 11th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP).

Thuong thanked the Lao State and people for their whole-hearted, pure sentiments and support for the cause of national construction and defence in Vietnam.

The two leaders rejoiced at the good development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation over the past time, saying despite impacts of the COVID-19, the two sides still maintained delegation exchanges and contacts at the high level, and effectively carried forward bilateral cooperation mechanisms, helping maintain and promote the close, reliable bilateral political ties at the highest level.

Last year, the two sides coordinated in successfully organising hundreds of activities from the central to grassroots levels within the framework of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year, they said, reviewing strides made in cooperation in national defence and security, economy, culture, social affairs, education and sports, people-to-people exchange, and collaboration between their localities, especially border ones.

The leaders compared notes on orientations and measures to strengthen cooperation in all spheres in a trustworthy, sincere and candid manner, and stressed that given complex developments of the regional and international situation, the two countries should step up consultations, experience sharing, cooperation and mutual support in order to overcome obstacles, while working together to build independent, self-reliant economies that integrate intensively and extensively into the world.

They reiterated the two countries’ consistent policies of always attaching importance and giving the top priority to consolidating and enhancing their great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

They agreed to continue concentrating on effectively materialising high-level agreements reached by the two countries as well as their ministries, agencies and localities, increase consultations on strategic issues, intensify the exchange of visits and contacts at all levels, review and raise the efficiency of cooperation mechanisms, promote outcomes and positive effects of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 to step up the popularisation of the bilateral relations, soon include books on the Vietnam-Laos ties into the curricula of educational institutions in both nations, and coordinate in building works and historical relic sites on the relationship, including the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Park in Vientiane.

The leader consented to foster cooperation in national defence and security in response to new security challenges, maintain their coordination and mutual support to ensure political stability, security, and social order and safety in each nation, well implement agreements reached by the ministries of national defence and public security of the two countries, closely coordinate in border management, especially in the fight against cross-border crimes, drug crimes and illegal immigrants, and further join hands in the search for and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer and soldiers who laid down their lives in Laos, and in upgrading monuments featuring Vietnam-Lao combat alliance.

The host and guest concurred to elevate the bilateral economic ties, making them match the political relations; enhance the exchange of experience in macro-economic management and corruption fight; upgrade international border gates and routes connecting the two countries; and continuously improve the efficiency of cooperation in education-training, tourism, energy, clean agriculture, science-technology, health care, and exchanges between citizens and localities of the two countries.

They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern and agreed to intensify information sharing and closely coordinate and cooperate at regional and international forums, and work together to ensure solidarity and uphold the central role of ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms.

Thuong affirmed that in the spirit of comradeship and fraternity, Vietnam will try its best to support Laos to successfully perform its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, and stands ready to assist the Lao National Assembly to assume international tasks in the time ahead, including the organisation of the first Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Parliamentary Summit in Vientiane in 2023.

On this occasion, the President announced a gift worth 1 million USD from the Vietnamese Party, State and people to their Lao counterparts, and reiterated the invitation to the Party General Secretary and President of Laos to pay an official visit to Vietnam at an appropriate time. The Lao leader accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Following the talks, the leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of two cooperation documents, comprising a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in technology and innovation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology and the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications, and another on cooperation in science between the Vietnamese ministry and the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports.

President Vo Van Thuong meets with Lao Prime Minister, NA Chairman in Vientiane

President Vo Van Thuong had separate meetings with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, and Chairman of the Lao National Assembly (NA) Saysomphone Phomvihane in Vientiane on April 10 as part of his official visit to Laos.

At his meeting with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, the Vietnamese leader congratulated Laos on its significant achievements in national development and expressed his belief that the country will surmount current difficulties to successfully carry out the Resolution of its 11th National Party Congress and the 9th socio-economic development plan for 2021 - 2025.

PM Sonexay Siphandone highly valued his guest’s selection of Laos as the first destination to visit as President of Vietnam, which shows the importance that the Vietnamese Party, State, and President attach to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

He affirmed that he and his Vietnamese counterpart, Pham Minh Chinh, have been keeping a close watch on and promoting the implementation of the countries’ agreements to ensure cooperation projects meet targets.

At the meeting, both host and guest applauded the remarkable achievements in bilateral cooperation in all aspects after more than 60 years of diplomatic ties and 45 years since the signing of the Treaty of Cooperation and Friendship.

They agreed to focus on implementing cooperation agreements, including the one on the 2023 cooperation plan between the two governments, another on the Vietnam - Laos cooperation strategy for 2021 - 2030, and the bilateral cooperation agreement for 2021 - 2025; maintain mutual visits and contact at all levels; and increased discussion and coordination in strategic issues related to security and development of each country.

The two leaders agreed to bring into play the attainments in the Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 to step up communications about the countries’ special relations in the public; continue to effectively carry out the signed protocols and plans on security and security cooperation; and work together to devise breakthrough measures for releasing resources for economic partnership so that bilateral trade can grow 10 - 15% this year.
 
They also highly valued the completion of many outstanding cooperation projects, agreeing to promote other key projects, creating a favourable and transparent environment for investment ties, foster cooperation in education - training, science, innovation, and digital transformation, and reinforcing links between Vietnamese and Lao localities, especially border ones.

The leaders also concurred in increasing the exchange of views and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and cooperation mechanisms in the Mekong sub-region, including the Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam Development Triangle Area.

President Thuong stated that Vietnam is ready to assist Laos in successfully performing the latter’s international roles in the coming time, including hosting the 10th Summit of the Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) in 2023 and holding the chairmanship of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2024, thus helping promote Laos’ role and stature in the region and the world.

Also on the day, President Thuong met with Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane, during the meeting the host stressed that President Thuong's visit to Laos for the first time in his new position shows the importance that Vietnam attaches to the special relationship between the two nations.

The top Lao legislator spoke highly of important and comprehensive achievements made by the Vietnamese people during the national construction and development in accordance with the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, saying that Vietnam’s rapid and stable development has become a motivation for Laos in its national construction process in the integration period.

The Chairman thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for gifting the new building for the Lao legislature, describing it as a typical symbol of the Vietnam-Laos special relationship.

For his part, President Thuong applauded the close cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies, affirming that Vietnam is willing to support Laos to successfully undertake important diplomatic activities in the coming time, including hosting the first Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Summit (CLV) Parliamentary Summit in 2023 and assuming the role as Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2024.

He also conveyed the congratulations of the Vietnamese Party, State, and NA senior leaders to the Lao leader on the traditional New Year Bunpimay.

The two leaders emphasised the importance of regular exchanges of delegations and high-level meetings, and appreciated the implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two legislatures signed in May 2022.

They suggested the two NAs continue to enhance the exchange and sharing of professional experience through organising conferences and seminars; closely coordinate with and support each other at regional and international parliamentary forums.

They also reaffirmed that the two sides always attach great importance to and give the highest priority to strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, considering this an invaluable asset and a decisive factor to the revolutionary cause in each country.

State President meets with top Lao legislator

State President Vo Van Thuong met with Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane on April 10 afternoon as part of his ongoing official visit to the neighbouring country.

During the meeting, Saysomphone Phomvihane stressed that President Thuong's visit to Laos for the first time in his new position shows the importance that Vietnam attaches to the special relationship between the two nations.

He spoke highly of important and comprehensive achievements made by the Vietnamese people during the national construction and development in accordance with the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, saying that Vietnam’s rapid and stable development has become a motivation for Laos in its national construction process in the integration period.

The top Lao legislator thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for gifting the new building for the Lao legislature, describing it as a typical symbol of the Vietnam-Laos special relationship.

For his part, President Thuong applauded the close cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies, affirming that Vietnam is willing to support Laos to successfully undertake important diplomatic activities in the coming time, including hosting the first Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Summit (CLV) Parliamentary Summit in 2023 and assuming the role as Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2024.

He also conveyed the congratulations of the Vietnamese Party, State, and NA senior leaders to the Lao leader on the traditional New Year Bunpimay.

The two leaders emphasised the importance of regular exchanges of delegations and high-level meetings, and appreciated the implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two legislatures signed in May 2022.

They suggested the two NAs continue to enhance the exchange and sharing of professional experience through organising conferences and seminars; closely coordinate with and support each other at regional and international parliamentary forums.

They also reaffirmed that the two sides always attach great importance to and give the highest priority to strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, considering this an invaluable asset and a decisive factor to the revolutionary cause in each country.

President Vo Van Thuong delighted at Vietnam-Laos ties

President Vo Van Thuong expressed his delight at the growing special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos during a reception in Vientiane on April 10 for President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Central Committee Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune.

President Thuong hailed cooperation between LFNC Central Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee as well as Vietnamese partners over the past years, especially the signing of a cooperation agreement for the 2022-2026 period.

He said both sides have regularly maintained the exchange of delegations at all levels via different channels while locality-to-locality and people-to-people exchanges have been further deepened.

To build on the positive effects of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, the Vietnamese leader suggested that the LFNC Central Committee work closely with Vietnam to effectively realise cooperation agreements in areas such as front, mass mobilisation, religious and ethnic affairs, and raise public awareness of the tradition of Vietnam-Laos special relationship.

On the occasion of Laos' traditional New Year festival Bunpimay, he wished tthe LFNC Central Committee and its President success and development, continuing to make positive contributions to preserving and upholding Vietnam-Laos special relationship.  

Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, for his part, expressed his joy when President Thuong chose Laos as the first country to pay an official visit after assuming his new position.

He affirmed that he always remembers and is grateful for the valuable assistance that the Vietnamese Party, State and people offered to Laos in the past struggle for national liberation and the current national construction and development.

The Lao official vowed to continue working closely with the VFF Central Committee to build on the success of Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

He also promised to raise awareness of Lao people, especially young generations, about the Laos-Vietnam special relations while partnering with Lao agencies to offer all possible support to the Vietnamese living and working in the country.

 President Vo Van Thuong (R) and President of LVFA Boviengkham Vongdala (Photo: VNA)

Receiving President of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association (LVFA) Boviengkham Vongdala the same day, President Thuong hailed diverse cooperation between Laos-Vietnam and Vietnam-Laos Friendship Associations over the past year, including the active and effective contribution of the LVFA to the success of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

He suggested the two associations continue working closely together to hold people-to-people exchanges, thus connecting the two peoples together, especially young generations.

Boviengkham Vongdala, in reply, said in his capacity as Lao Minister of Science and Technology, he initiated cooperation activities with Vietnamese partners, including building a Vietnamese teaching centre and launching projects nurturing bilateral friendship.

He stressed that the LVFA will continue partnering with the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association to uphold the success of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

It will also further step up awareness campaigns among Lao people, especially young generations, to further deepen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples.

Source: VNA