The most prominent outcome of President Truong Tan Sang’s recent visit to Laos is strong consensus towards pushing the Vietnam-Laos relationship forward, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Minh Khoi told the Vietnam News Agency.

The three-day visit that began on March 23 was significant for developing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and close-knit cooperation between the two Parties and countries, he said.

Both sides agreed to facilitate visits and strengthen trust by raising public awareness of the time-honoured friendship, especially during the commemoration of big anniversaries held by both countries in 2015.

Apart from solidifying national defence-security cooperation, Vietnam and Laos will complete a project to increase and upgrade border markers and improve laws on border management.

They will also deliver on government-level commitments on free immigration and unregistered marriages in border areas as well as a protocol on Vietnam-Laos defence cooperation signed on January 20, while combating drug crime, trade fraud, and forestry-mining product smuggling.

Agreeing to bring the outcomes of the 37 th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee to life, they shared the view that the trade agreement renewal is a step towards lifting trade to 2 billion USD, up 40 percent from 2014.

To that end, both nations will work on a trans-border trade agreement in 2015 and a master plan on Vietnam-Laos border trade through 2020. They will also accelerate transport and energy connectivity projects.

On regional and global issues of shared concern, both sides confirmed the need to intensify collaboration among ASEAN member nations as the ASEAN Community is established later this year.

The Vietnamese State leader assured his host that Vietnam is willing to work closely with Laos and help the country assume its role as the ASEAN Chair in 2016.

The two leaders also discussed the maintenance of peace and stability in the East Sea as well as the sustainable use of water resources in the Mekong River, including the construction of hydropower plants on the Mekong mainstream.

The Deputy Minister underlined the significance of the visit at a time when the national defence and development cause presents challenges to Vietnam and Laos, especially in the context of unpredictable and complicated changes in the world political and economic situations while the ASEAN is approaching the historical landmark of forming a Community. The year 2015 is also an important year as both countries will hold National Party Congresses to elect a new leadership and roll out orientations for the coming years.

President visits Vietnamese embassy in Laos

State President Truong Tan Sang called at the Vietnamese Embassy in Vientiane on March 25 as part of his working visit to Laos.

Representatives of the Vietnamese community in Laos reported to the President that the community in Laos have nurtured their close bonds, supporting each other in life and preserving the traditions and language of the homeland.

According to Ambassador Nguyen Manh Hung, the Vietnamese Association in Laos has established its chapters in 12 of 18 Lao provinces and cities with roughly 15,000 members.

While highlighting the results of his visit, President Sang said he hopes the embassy will put additional effort into strengthening the Vietnam-Laos special friendship.

He urged overseas Vietnamese nationals to abide by the host country’s laws, make practical contributions to the homeland’s development and foster the bilateral relations.

President wraps up Laos visit

Concluding his official visit to Laos, State President Truong Tan Sang met with the Vietnamese business community in the host country on March 25.

After listening to thoughts and expectations from Vietnamese investors, State President Sang lauded the performance of outstanding enterprises such as the Laos-Vietnam Bank, Viettel and the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group for creating sources of livelihood for the locals and improving their living standards.

He also highlighted the participation of Vietnamese businesses in welfare programmes in Laos and the 2 billion USD targeted trade revenue between the two nations this year.

The same day, the President received President of the Lao-Vietnam Friendship Association Phankham Viphavanh, who is also Lao Deputy Prime Minister.

During the meeting, President Sang hailed the association’s significant contributions to developing the Vietnam-Lao comprehensive cooperation and promoting mutual understanding and solidarity between the two peoples.

He hoped the association would generate additional initiatives to enhance ties, particularly among the younger generation.

Phankham Viphavanh said his agency intends to diversify its communication programmes in a bid to cement the traditional friendship.

Lao press spotlight Vietnamese President’s visit

The recent visit to Laos by President Truong Tan Sang came under the spotlight in a series of articles run by leading Lao newspapers such as Pasaxon (People), Vientiane May (New Vientiane), PathetLao (Laos country), and Lao Phatthana (Developing Laos).

The articles hailed the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, which they said will be further strengthened after the visit by President Truong Tan Sang.

The Lao Phatthana newspaper of the Lao Journalists’ Association on March 24 and 25 published two articles titled “The profound friendship between Vietnam and Laos ” and “The significance of preserving and promoting special ties between Vietnam and Laos ”.

The special relations between Vietnam and Laos have stood the test of time and shone in any circumstances as an eternal symbol for the faithful revolutionary spirit, the communist ideal, and the legitimate rights and aspriation of the two peoples on the path to socialism, the former article said.

It also cited Laos ’ late President Kaysone Phomvihance as saying the relations between Vietnam and Laos are the shining example of the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in the global revolutionary history.

Meanwhile, the latter article analysed the geo-political and geo-military conditions of Vietnam and Laos , which lead to the inevitable needs for cooperation and mutual support between the two countries.

It concluded that the special bonds between the nations are indispensable for both Vietnamese and Lao people.

VNA