Vietnam will help Laos connect to the sea

On November 12, in Vientiane (Laos), a conference was held to prepare for the 47th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation. Mr. Tran Quoc Phuong, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment , Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, said that Vietnam's "strategic view" is to help Laos have its own sea and port, followed by railways and roads to open up international integration and develop an independent economy.

According to Mr. Phuong, Vietnam will focus on removing difficulties and promoting important connection projects (the Vung Ang Port Investment Cooperation Project 1,2,3, the Hanoi - Vientiane road traffic connection projects, the Vientiane - Vung Ang railway, etc.); and thoroughly handle the remaining projects.

At the Conference, the two sides assessed the results of the implementation of the Agreement on the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Plan in 2024, as well as set out directions and tasks for the cooperation plan in 2025.

The conference prepares content for the 47th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on bilateral cooperation between Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong affirmed that Vietnam's consistent policy is to always attach importance to and give the highest priority to preserving and developing the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, considering it a priceless asset of vital significance to the revolutionary cause of each country. In the coming time, the two sides need to continue to thoroughly grasp the contents of the Agreement of the high-ranking leaders; the Agreement on the Annual Cooperation Plan between the two Governments; coordinate to promote the ministries, branches, localities and relevant agencies of the two sides to strive to successfully complete the Agreement on the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Plan for 2024 and 2025.

The two sides also agreed to enhance connectivity and complementarity between the two economies; create a stable, transparent legal corridor and a favorable environment; have specific mechanisms for key security and defense projects; promote trade turnover growth (up 10-15%); strengthen trade promotion, brand building, and distribution channels for goods in each country to ensure a stable presence and sustainable output.

Regarding cooperation in electricity trading, the two sides continue to coordinate to review and study in detail the electricity trading prices for power projects expected to be put into operation after 2025. Study the connection of the two countries' transmission lines to meet the demand for electricity trading from power projects in Laos in the future; create favorable conditions to promote the implementation of wind power projects in border areas to sell electricity to Vietnam.

Other cooperation directions proposed at the Conference are to improve the efficiency of aid capital use, focus on maintenance of projects that have been handed over and put into use, especially putting into use the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Hospital in Hua Phan province in 2025. This is a project of great significance to the Vietnam - Laos cooperative relationship.

Along with that, continue to prioritize cooperation in education and training with a focus on high quality; increase support for Laos in terms of experience in maintaining macroeconomic stability, sustainable development, and improving the business environment; increase consultation and mutual support, enhance ASEAN's role in promoting sub-regional cooperation, and link sub-regional cooperation with the process of building the ASEAN Community and ASEAN's regional integration...

At the end of the Conference, the two sides agreed on the contents of two draft documents including: Minutes of the 47th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation and Agreement on the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Plan for 2025. Regarding the time and venue of the 47th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation, the two sides agreed to submit to the leaders of the Cooperation Committees of the two countries for comments on organizing in Laos (expected in January 2025).

According to information at the Conference, in the first 10 months of 2024, Vietnam registered to invest 74.6 million USD in Laos, an increase of 16.3% over the same period in 2023. Bilateral trade cooperation reached 1.7 billion USD, an increase of 28% over the previous year. In the field of non-refundable aid, Vietnam has completed and handed over four major projects to Laos, including upgrading the Lao National Radio Station and building 4 small-scale irrigation systems in 2 districts of Anu-vong and Thathom, Xay-xo-bun province...

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/viet-nam-se-giup-lao-ket-noi-ra-bien-207202.html