On January 6, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandon within the framework of his official visit to Vietnam and co-chairing of the 46th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation.
At the talks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly welcomed Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on his first official visit to Vietnam in his new position.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to and gives the highest priority to the special Vietnam-Laos relationship; Vietnam is ready to support Laos to successfully assume its international responsibilities in 2024, including the role of ASEAN Chair.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone sincerely thanked Vietnam for its valuable, sincere and wholehearted support and assistance to Laos during the struggle for independence and the process of national development.
The two Prime Ministers expressed their delight at the fine, comprehensive, extensive and effective development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in all fields. Political relations continue to be consolidated, increasingly trustworthy, close and play a core role in guiding the overall relationship between the two countries. The two sides regularly exchange visits and high-level meetings and contacts. Defense, security and foreign affairs cooperation continue to be important pillars, increasingly in-depth and effective, helping to consolidate the solid foundation of the relationship between the two countries.
Economic, trade and investment cooperation continues to have positive changes. Vietnam currently has 241 investment projects in Laos with a total registered capital of 5.47 billion USD, maintaining the 3rd position among countries/territories investing in Laos. The total bilateral trade turnover in 2023 will reach more than 1.5 billion USD. Cooperation in other fields such as education - training, culture, science and technology, tourism and people-to-people exchange... is constantly being consolidated and enhanced.
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 heads of the three ruling parties of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; effectively implement agreements between the two Governments, including the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Strategy Agreement for the 2021-2030 period, the Agreement on Vietnam - Laos Bilateral Cooperation for the 2021-2025 period and the Agreement on the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Plan for 2024.
The two sides will continue to enhance the effectiveness of defense and security cooperation to effectively handle new challenges; strengthen border management and protection, and prevent transnational crimes, especially drug crimes; and continue to coordinate and support in searching for, excavating and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos.
Along with that, the two sides promote development cooperation between localities of the two countries; strengthen connectivity between the two economies of Vietnam and Laos, especially in terms of institutions, finance, transport infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and tourism; continue to promote the Vientiane - Hanoi expressway, Vientiane - Vung Ang railway and other key cooperation projects; support each other in building an independent and self-reliant economy, associated with proactive, active international integration, deep, substantive and effective; strengthen cooperation between Vietnam - Laos and appropriate development partners to attract and create more resources for cooperation projects; coordinate to review and resolve difficulties and obstacles, creating a favorable investment and business environment for Vietnamese enterprises to feel secure doing business in Laos.
The two sides agreed to continue to closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms; and especially to continuously promote the close cooperative relationship between Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia.
PHAN THAO
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