Fourth VN-Laos political consultation organized

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung and his Lao counterpart Khamphau Onthavanh co-chairs the fourth political consultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MoFAs) in Vientiane, Laos, July 16, 2019 - Photo: VNA

At the event, the two sides reviewed the Viet Nam-Laos relationship, expressing their delight at  positive developments, especially in the first half of 2019 with a number of crucial events such as Party General Secretary, State President Nguyen Phu Trong’s official friendship visit to Laos. 

They agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two MoFAs, including preparations for high-level visits and the sixth Foreign Ministerial-level annual consultation in Viet Nam. 

Khamphau Onthavanh congratulated Viet Nam on its crucial diplomatic events over the recent months, including the organization of the second DPRK-U.S. Summit and winning  the non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council in 2020-2021 tenure. 

The two diplomats discussed the situations in the world and the Asia-Pacific region, consenting to coordinate in coping with new emerging challenges, including the global economic slowdown and trade conflicts.    

They highly appraised achievements gained during the process of establishing the ASEAN Community and the central role and status of the block in the region, agreeing to promote cooperation to strengthen solidarity and increase the adaption capacity of ASEAN. 

Deputy Minister Dung informed the Lao side about Viet Nam’s preparations for taking over the role of Chair of ASEAN in 2020 and the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2020-2021 tenure. 

Viet Nam attaches importance to launching activities and cooperative content and initiatives while taking over these works, thus making contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development of ASEAN, region and the world, Dung asserted. 

The fourth political consultation will be held in Viet Nam by 2020. 

The same occasion, Deputy Minister Dung met with Lao FM Saleumxay Kommasith on July 17. 

By Thuy Dung