Special highlights of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip to Laos

At the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Government visited Laos and co-chaired the 47th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on January 9-10.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Park project. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

According to VNA special correspondent, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet gave an interview to the press, assessing the results of this working trip.

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, this is a working trip with many special "firsts". For Vietnam, this is the first foreign visit by a key leader in 2025, while for Laos, this is the first foreign delegation to visit Laos in 2025. This shows that both countries give the highest priority to consolidating and developing bilateral relations, demonstrating a unique, loyal, and close relationship like brothers. Laos gave Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his delegation a warm welcome, with solemn ceremonies with the special characteristics of the bilateral relationship.

Although it only lasted two days, the visit had a tight schedule, with nearly 20 diverse activities, in which Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with all the top leaders of Laos and co-chaired three particularly important events: the 47th Meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee, the Vietnam - Laos Investment Cooperation Conference and the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the construction of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Park.

Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet assessed that the working trip of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was a great success and achieved many important, extremely effective, substantive and comprehensive results, contributing to strongly promoting the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, which is a strong step in implementing the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress. The following highlights stand out:

Firstly, the two countries' senior leaders agreed to continue to maintain regular contacts and exchanges of high-level delegations and delegations at both bilateral and multilateral levels; effectively implement bilateral cooperation and consultation mechanisms; enhance the exchange of theories and experiences in Party building, socio-economic development, and international integration; continue to educate the young generations of the two countries to clearly recognize the importance and determination to constantly consolidate and build the loyal, pure relationship and special solidarity between the two countries, considering this a priceless asset that needs to be preserved, developed, and passed on forever to future generations.

Second, under the close direction of senior leaders and the urgency of ministries, branches and localities, the two sides have resolved many backlog projects, creating momentum for a new phase of more dynamic and substantive development cooperation. The two sides are pleased with the strong developments in economy, trade and investment. Notably, the two-way trade turnover in 2024 is estimated to reach 2.2 billion USD, exceeding the set target of 2 billion USD, which is also the highest level ever. Investment cooperation has changed positively, with registered investment capital to Laos in 2024 reaching 191.1 million USD, an increase of 62.1% compared to 2023.

The two countries signed the Coal and Electricity Trading Agreement, completed the local currency payment framework and bilateral retail payment connection at the 47th Session. These are important legal bases for the two sides to continue to coordinate and effectively implement the committed agreements on coal and electricity trading cooperation in the coming time; as well as facilitate trade, commerce and financial needs of businesses and people of the two countries, especially in border areas.

Third, the two sides have high consensus on policies and orientations for strategic projects in infrastructure, transportation, energy connectivity, and enhancing business connectivity to open up an era of highly connected cooperation between the two economies; determined to promote the relationship in a new direction, focusing on practical efficiency, avoiding waste, focusing on key points to develop the relationship substantially, actively supporting the process of building an independent and self-reliant economy of each country.

The results of the exchange between the two countries' senior leaders have encouraged and motivated Vietnamese enterprises that have, are and will invest in Laos. Lao leaders pledged to continue to pay attention to and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in Laos, and to have mechanisms and policies to support and remove difficulties for Vietnamese enterprises investing in Laos.

Fourthly, with the spirit of traditional solidarity and mutual assistance among the three countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, the two sides agreed to continue to exchange and coordinate with Cambodia to promote projects and cooperation between the three countries to bring about practical economic efficiency, in line with development requirements in the new period, raising the level of economic connectivity, commensurate with political and diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam consistently prioritizes developing relations with close neighboring countries such as Laos and Cambodia, and is ready and encourages businesses to cooperate in investment and business, work together, enjoy together, and develop together.

Fifth, regarding cooperation within the multilateral framework, the two sides pledged to continue to coordinate closely at international and regional forums, especially within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and actively contribute to building a united community and ASEAN's central role in dealing with common challenges, including the East Sea issue, Mekong River water resources, etc.

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, with the spirit of inheriting the achievements, with the feelings coming from the heart, and efforts in every action, the visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Laos and co-chairing the 47th Meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee was a great success, contributing significantly to continuing to consolidate and develop the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the coming time.

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