Vietnam will actively support and share experience so that Laos can fulfil its presidency of ASEAN in 2016 as well as successfully organise the ASEAN Summit.

President Tran Dai Quang (R) welcomes Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.

President Tran Dai Quang made the statement during his meeting with Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith in Hanoi on June 9.

The President applauded the outcomes of the meeting between the two foreign ministers earlier, saying that cooperative orientations would heighten the two ministries’ relations, particularly during Laos’ ASEAN presidency this year.

He affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam attach great importance to the relations, whose foundations were laid by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane.

He hailed the successful visits to Vietnam by Lao General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisolith earlier, saying that such visits have helped elevate relations between the two parties, states and governments to a higher level.

Quang said that he will pay an official visit to Laos very soon, stressing that choosing Laos as his official visit as the Vietnamese President showed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always treasure the brotherly relations it has with Laos.

In response, the Lao foreign minister said that his leaders are expecting the visit of the Vietnamese President to the country.

He said he believes that the visit will be a milestone that cultivates ties between the two parties, the states and peoples of the two countries.

Regarding his talks with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Saleumxay Kommasith said the two sides agreed to strengthen coordination in order to effectively implement high-level agreements between the two countries and achieve consensus in exchanges on issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

As Laos is taking the role of ASEAN presidency, the close cooperation between the two ministries will play an important role in the success of Laos, he said.

Vietnam, Laos need to retain annual Government meeting: PM

Vietnam and Laos should maintain the annual meeting of their Governments in order to handle arising issues pertaining to their preset plans, firstly those relating to the 2016-2020 plan, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and visiting Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.

He made the remarks while hosting visiting Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith in Hanoi on June 9.

The PM said he hoped the Lao official, on his Foreign Minister position, will work to foster the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

He showed his delight to see the two countries’ across-the-board affiliation growing strongly and efficiently, describing cemented political trust and successful visits by high-ranking officials in particular as having lifted the relations between the two Parties, States and Governments to the next level.

Minister Saleumxay Kommasith told his host that he held talks with Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and agreed on speedier realization of agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders as well as orientations for the two foreign ministries’ connection.

He expressed his hope to learn from Vietnam’s experience in performing the ASEAN Chair given Laos took in the role this year and wants to accomplish its soundly.

The Minister pledged that he will spare no effort to reinforce the traditional friendship, special solidarity and multi-dimensional cooperation with Vietnam.

VNA