President: Vietnam continues to support Laos to successfully assume the ASEAN Chairmanship

President To Lam and Lao Prime Minister agreed to enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and closely coordinate on strategic issues related to security and development of each country.

President To Lam meets with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. (Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA)

According to the special correspondent of VNA, within the framework of the State visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, on the morning of July 11, at the Prime Minister's Office, President To Lam met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone warmly welcomed President To Lam on his first state visit to Laos in his new position; and congratulated Comrade To Lam on being elected President of Vietnam by the Vietnamese National Assembly at the 7th session of the 15th tenure last May.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone respectfully sent his regards and best wishes to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other senior leaders of Vietnam, and emphasized that the great and comprehensive achievements that the Party, State and people of Vietnam have achieved in recent times continue to be a great source of encouragement for Laos in the cause of protecting, building and developing the country.

President To Lam expressed his pleasure to visit Laos on his first overseas trip, and respectfully conveyed the warm regards of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and senior Vietnamese leaders to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Expressing his joy at the great achievements that the Lao Party, State and People have attained in recent times, the President affirmed his belief that Laos will overcome the immediate difficulties and successfully implement the Resolution of the 11th Party Congress and the 9th Socio-Economic Development Plan for the 2021-2025 period.

The two sides expressed their joy and appreciation for the outstanding and important achievements in the cooperation between the two countries in all fields, contributing significantly to socio-economic development, strengthening national defense and security, ensuring political and social stability of each country; agreed to focus on implementing high-level cooperation agreements between the two countries, especially the 46th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee (January 2024), the Agreement on Vietnam-Laos Bilateral Cooperation for the 2021-2025 period and the Vietnam-Laos Strategic Cooperation Agreement for the 2021-2030 period; continue to maintain high-level and all-level visits and contacts; actively seek measures to resolve difficulties and obstacles; improve the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms; closely coordinate on strategic issues related to security and development of each country.

The two leaders agreed to continue effectively implementing the signed protocols and plans on defense and security cooperation; coordinate to find 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 completion, handover and use of many typical cooperation projects such as Nong Khang Airport, Friendship Hospital in Xieng Khouang, Lao Public Security Academy; and agreed to continue efforts to promote a number of other key projects in the fields of energy, mining, and infrastructure connectivity; strive to create a favorable and transparent environment for investment cooperation; promote cooperation in education and training, scientific cooperation, promote cooperation in digital transformation between state management agencies and between enterprises in this field; strengthen cooperation between localities, especially border localities; promote propaganda among the people of the two countries, especially the young generation, about the traditional and special relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone affirmed that he will continue to work with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to resolutely implement high-level agreements between the two countries, especially in the economic field, to bring more practical benefits to the people of the two countries.

Discussing regional and international issues, the two leaders agreed that in the context of the current rapidly changing and complex world situation, the two sides need to strengthen coordination and support each other at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

The President stressed that Vietnam is ready to continue supporting Laos to successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chair and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Chair in 2024, contributing to enhancing Laos' role and position in the region and the world./.

Source