Promote the construction of highways and railways connecting Vietnam and Laos

This is one of the contents that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone agreed to strengthen cooperation in the coming time.

Toàn cảnh cuộc hội đàm tại trụ sở Chính phủ - Ảnh: HẢI NGUYỄN — *Overview of the meeting at the Government headquarters - Photo: HAI NGUYEN*

On January 6, after the official welcoming ceremony for Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his wife, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had talks with the Lao leader in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Increase high-level visits and contacts

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly welcomed Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on his first official visit to Vietnam in his new position, affirming that Vietnam always attaches importance to and gives the highest priority to the special Vietnam-Laos relationship. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for their warm and respectful welcome. On this occasion, the two leaders reviewed the bilateral relationship in recent times with its good, comprehensive, extensive and effective developments. Regarding the direction of cooperation in the coming time, the two Prime Ministers agreed to increase the exchange of high-level visits and contacts. Continue to focus on effectively implementing agreements between high-ranking leaders of the two Parties, the two countries of Vietnam and Laos, and agreements between the three leaders of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

Thủ tướng Phạm Minh Chính tại hội đàm - Ảnh: HẢI NGUYỄN — *Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the meeting - Photo: HAI NGUYEN*

The two leaders also agreed to continue to effectively implement agreements between the two governments, including the Vietnam-Laos Strategic Cooperation Agreement for the 2021-2030 period, the Vietnam-Laos Bilateral Cooperation Agreement for the 2021-2025 period, and the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Plan for 2024. The two Prime Ministers agreed to continue to improve the effectiveness of defense and security cooperation to effectively handle new challenges. This includes strengthening border management and protection, and preventing transnational crimes, especially drug crimes. The two countries will continue to coordinate and support each other in searching for, excavating, and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos, as well as promoting development cooperation between localities of the two countries.

Thủ tướng Lào Sonexay Siphandone phát biểu tại hội đàm - Ảnh: HẢI NGUYỄN — *Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone speaks at the talks - Photo: HAI NGUYEN*

Strengthening connectivity between the two economies of Vietnam and Laos

The two sides will strengthen the connection between the two economies of Vietnam and Laos, especially in terms of institutions, finance, transport infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and tourism. Among these are continuing to promote the Vientiane - Hanoi expressway, Vientiane - Vung Ang railway, and other key cooperation projects. The two countries will support each other in building an independent and self-reliant economy, associated with proactive, active, deep, substantive, and effective international integration, as well as strengthening tripartite cooperation between Vietnam - Laos and appropriate development partners to attract and create more resources for cooperation projects. Vietnam and Laos will coordinate to review and resolve difficulties and obstacles, creating a favorable investment and business environment so that Vietnamese enterprises can feel secure doing business in Laos. At the same time, effectively implement protocols and cooperation projects in the fields of education and human resources development... The two Prime Ministers also discussed a number of international and regional issues of mutual concern, agreeing to continue to closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms and especially to continuously promote the close cooperation between Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is ready to support Laos to successfully assume important international responsibilities in 2024, including the role of ASEAN Chair.

Hai Thủ tướng chứng kiến lễ ký kết và trao văn kiện hợp tác giữa hai Bộ Quốc phòng - Ảnh: NGUYỄN KHÁNH — *The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing ceremony and exchange of cooperation documents between the two Ministries of Defense - Photo: HAI NGUYEN*

Immediately after the talks, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of four cooperation documents, including: - Border cooperation protocol between the two Ministries of Defense of Vietnam and Laos. - Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation Plan between the Office of the Government of Vietnam and the Office of the Lao Prime Minister. - Memorandum of Understanding on the development and connection of border trade infrastructure between the Governments of Vietnam and Laos. - Cooperation plan for 2024 between the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos.