(NLDO)- The Prime Minister's visit to Laos and co-chairing of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee Meeting is a working trip with special "firsts".
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 from January 9 to 10.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Park project in Vientiane, Laos on January 10, 2025. Photo: Nhat Bac
According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, this is a working trip with special "firsts": It is the first foreign visit of our key leaders in 2025. 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 the Vietnam-Laos relationship, demonstrating a unique, loyal, and close relationship like brothers in one family. You gave Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his delegation a warm welcome, with solemn protocol, with the unique characteristics of the Vietnam-Laos relationship.
The visit lasted only 2 days but included nearly 20 dense, rich and diverse activities. During this visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with all the top leaders of Laos and co-chaired 3 extremely important events: the 47th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee, the Vietnam-Laos Investment Cooperation Conference and the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Park.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet discusses the results of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip to Laos. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
It can be said that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip 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 have highly 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 completely resolved many backlog projects, creating momentum for a new phase of more dynamic and substantial development cooperation.
The two sides were 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 2 billion USD mark, 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 Agreement on Coal and Electricity Trading, completed the framework for local currency payments and connected bilateral retail payments 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.
Under the witness of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, the State Bank of Vietnam and the Bank of the Lao PDR held a ceremony to announce the framework for local currency payment and bilateral retail payment connection using QR codes between Vietnam and Laos. Photo: Nhat Bac
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 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 - 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, and to enhance 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. Vietnam is ready and encourages businesses to cooperate in investment and business, to work together, enjoy together, and develop together.
The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing ceremony and exchange of the Agreement between the two Governments on coal-fired power purchase and sale. Photo: Nhat Bac
Fifth , regarding cooperation within the multilateral framework, the two sides pledged to continue to closely coordinate at international and regional forums, especially within 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.
"In short, with the spirit of inheriting the achievements, with the feelings coming from the heart, and efforts in every action, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip was very successful, contributing significantly to continuing to consolidate and develop the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the coming time" - the Deputy Minister affirmed.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/thu-tuong-cong-tac-lao-nhung-lan-dau-tien-dac-biet-196250110234045726.htm
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