Prime Minister Chính speaks at an event to review the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 during his visit to the country on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photos Dương Giang

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and his Laotian counterpart Sonexay Siphandone on Wednesday agreed to further boost the economic cooperation between the two countries with priority given to supporting each other’s recovery post-pandemic and building an independent, self-reliant and widely integrated economy.

Vietnamese leader Chính is on a two-day official visit to Laos, starting from Wednesday.

During the talks held the same day, the prime ministers of the two countries discussed and agreed on measures to further enhance the effectiveness of cooperation in all fields.

On this occasion, the two sides signed 10 cooperation documents on banking-finance, transport, economic diplomacy, science and technology, IT and communications, education and training, and health.

During the talks, the two leaders agreed to maintain high-level exchanges in all channels, aiming to enhance the political relationship between the two Parties and two countries.

PM Chính and his Laotian counterpart Sonexay at the signing ceremony of a number of important cooperation documents on Wednesday.

They also agreed to strengthen connectivity between the two economies, especially through strategic road, railway, and aviation projects as well as others on telecommunication, energy, financial services and banking to expand the space for cooperation and development.

Reaffirming the consistent policies of the two Parties and two countries, the two leaders said both sides pay special attention to and give utmost priority to enhancing the great friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation has been on the right track. Việt Nam has had five new projects and seen four projects raising capital with total investment of US$70 million in 2022, up nearly 50 per cent compared to 2021.

The two leaders agreed that the two sides try their best to effectively implement Việt Nam-Laos strategic cooperation agreement in 2021-2030, the bilateral cooperation agreement in 2021-2025 and many others.

They agreed to continue to maintain the annual trade growth of 10-15 per cent as well as expand investment and cooperation with a focus on projects in border areas.

They also pay special attention to educating the young people of the two countries about the special relationship between Việt Nam and Laos while enhancing cooperation in human resources training.

They also discussed issues of global and regional concern, affirming that the two countries would continue to support each other at multilateral forums, especially UN, ASEAN and sub-Mekong cooperation mechanism.

They will maintain the solidarity and central role of ASEAN in strategic issues, including the East Sea. Việt Nam stands ready to support Laos to successfully take over international tasks including the ASEAN/AIPA Chairmanship in 2024.

According to PM Chính, 2022 marked an important time as the two countries celebrated the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries with several activities and events.

Also on this occasion, PM Chính was awarded the National Gold Order, the highest distinction of Laos.

On the same day, PM Chính also met with General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith. 

PM Chính reaffirms priceless value of relationship with Laos

 
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính met with General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith on Wednesday, reaffirming the priceless value of the great relationship with Laos.

During the meeting with the Lao leader in Vientiane, PM Chính reaffirmed that Việt Nam has always attached special importance to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, considering relations with Laos a priceless asset that is of strategic importance.

The two leaders agreed that the two countries should closely coordinate with each other to implement agreements and continue to promote the relationship between the two countries in areas such as politics, defence and security.

The two sides will continue to promote economic, investment and trade cooperation while supporting each other in building an independent, self-reliant and deeply integrated economy and being consistent with its socialist path.

The two leaders agreed that both countries will continue to strengthen communication work to promote the special relationship between the two countries among young people. 

PM Pham Minh Chinh visits former leaders of Laos

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited former senior leaders of Laos on January 11 as part of his official trip to the country.

He visited former General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone, former Party General Secretary and State President Bounnhang Vorachith, and former PM Thongsing Thammavong.

PM Chinh thanked the former Lao leaders for their enormous contributions to the two countries’ faithful relations and special solidarity, as well as their support for the comprehensive development of bilateral friendship and cooperation.

He informed his hosts about the outcomes of his talks and meetings with leaders of the Lao Party, State, Government, and National Assembly, expressing his delight at the brilliant success of the Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

 PM Pham Minh Chinh and former Lao PM Thongsing Thammavong at their meeting on January 11. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam always gives the top priority to the special solidarity with Laos and considers this as a priceless asset of their revolutions, he noted, pledging utmost efforts to unceasingly nurture the countries’ great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.

For their part, the former leaders of Laos stressed the close-knit ties with Vietnam and that they are delighted at the flourishing cooperation in all spheres.

They appreciated Vietnam’s assistance for Laos and called for increased cooperation and sharing of experience in socio-economic stabilisation and development.

They also emphasised the need to continue educating the two peoples, especially among younger generations, on the special relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister receives head of Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association Boviengkham Vongdara in Vientiane on January 11, part of his official visit to Laos.

Stressing the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos, PM Chinh highly valued the cooperation results between the Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam friendship associations, especially in the Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, which have helped promote people-to-people exchanges and the two peoples’ awareness of the special bilateral relations.

He also applauded activities of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association last year, asking it to set up branches in localities and develop new and creative forms of exchanges to further augment the great friendship and special solidarity between the two sides.

Boviengkham Vongdara said the two friendship organisations held a large number of activities in the Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022. As Minister of Technology and Communications of Laos, he has also carried out many cooperation activities with Vietnamese partners, including building Vietnamese language teaching centres.

The Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association has always paid attention to communications so that the Lao people, particularly the young, are fully aware of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples, he noted, pledging to do his utmost to help nurture relations between the countries.

Source: VNS/VNA