Siphandone welcomed Lam on a State visit to Laos and congratulated him on his election as President of Vietnam in May 2024.

He respectfully sent his regards and best wishes to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other senior leaders of Vietnam, and noted that the great and comprehensive achievements that the Party, State and people of Vietnam have recorded in recent times serve as a great source of encouragement to Laos in the cause of national construction, defense and development.

Lam for his part spoke highly of Laos’ recent great achievements in national development and international integration, and expressed his belief that Laos would overcome immediate difficulties and successfully implement the Resolution of the 11th National Congress of the Laos People’s Revolutionary Party and the ninth Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2021 - 2025.

Both sides expressed their joy and appreciation for the fruitful cooperation in all fields between the two countries, making important contributions to socio-economic development, strengthening national defense, security, and ensuring political and social stability in each country.

The two sides agreed to effectively implement high-level cooperation agreements between the two countries, especially the results of the 46th Meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Intergovernmental Committee in January 2024, the agreement on bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in 2021 - 2025 and the agreement on Vietnam - Laos strategic cooperation in 2021 – 2030.

They agreed to maintain high-level visits, actively seek solutions to resolve pending problems, improve the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and closely coordinate in strategic issues related to security and development of each country.

They vowed to work out breakthrough measures to free up resources for economic cooperation between the two countries, striving to achieve the trade growth target of 10-15% in 2024.

The two sides highly appreciated the fact that many typical cooperation projects have been completed, handed over and put into use, such as Nongkhang airport, friendship hospital in Xieng Khouang, and the Lao Academy of Politics of the police. They consented to focus on promoting a number of other key projects in the fields of energy, mining, and infrastructure connection.

They stressed the importance of creating a favourable and transparent environment for investment cooperation, and promoting education-training, sci-tech digital transformation cooperation, as well as local cooperation, especially among border localities, while teaching their young people about the traditional and special relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two leaders agreed that in the context of the world’s rapidly changing and complex situation, the two sides need to strengthen coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, ASEAN and Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms.

President To Lam emphasized that Vietnam is ready to continue supporting Laos to successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chairman and AIPA Chairman in 2024, contributing to enhancing Laos’ role and position regionally and globally.

VOV