Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and his Lao counterpart Alounkeo Kittikhoun co-chaired the two ministries’ first deputy ministerial political consultation in Hanoi on July 20.

The two sides informed each other of their respective country’s situations and reviewed the implementation of their ministries’ cooperation agreement.

In 2015, the two ministries have continued to carry out delegation exchanges, coordinated in organising major festivals and helped intensify cooperation in security defence, economics, trade, investment, education and transport.

Both agreed to further their bilateral collaboration, prepare for the Inter-Governmental Committee’s 38th meeting in Laos in late 2015, work towards the early conclusion of a project to increase and upgrade the two countries’ border markers and implement the government-level agreement on addressing irregular migration and illegitimate marriage.

They also vowed to maintain close coordination at regional and international forums, especially within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), while working with other ASEAN countries to determine the group’s roles and viewpoints in the region’s strategic issues.

The second political consultation will be held in Laos in 2016.

The Lao official was then received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, who confirmed that Vietnam continually gives top priority to consolidating and developing the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity and all-round cooperation.

Minh spoke highly of the outcomes of the consultation, stressing the need for the two ministries to further promote their role in proposing measures to further the two countries’ relations.

He affirmed that Vietnam will support and closely coordinate with Laos in 2016 when the latter assumes the position as Chair of ASEAN.

The Lao guest expressed his hope that the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister would continue steering the ministry to tighten cooperation with Laos to further enhance the relations between the two countries.

VNA