Vietnamese, Lao Prime Ministers hold talks

Pham welcomed Sonexay Siphandon's first visit to Viet Nam after he was elected head of the Government of Laos, reiterating that Viet Nam always treasures and gives the highest priority to the special relationship with Laos.

Viet Nam stands ready to support Laos to successfully carry out its tasks in 2024, including the ASEAN Chairmanship, the host affirmed.

For his part, Sonexay Siphandone congratulated Viet Nam on its achievements in terms of socio-economic development, defense-security, and diplomacy.

He thanked Viet Nam for the valuable assistance for Laos during its national construction and development process.

Both leaders expressed their delight on the fruitful, comprehensive, extensive and effective development in the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries across all sectors.

Cooperation in defense, security and diplomacy is an important pillar of the bilateral ties, which has helped to consolidate the solid foundation of the two countries' relationship, they noted.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation continues to show positive progress. Vietnamese investors have poured US$5.47 billion in 241 projects in Laos, ranking third among nations and territories investing in Laos. The bilateral trade value was estimated to hit US$1.5 billion in 2023.

The host and the guest vowed to increase high-level visits and contacts, and effectively implement agreements reached by their senior leaders; the agreements reached by the two Politburos of Viet Nam and Laos; and the outcomes of the meeting between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Thongloun Sisoulith, and President of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen.

They also underscored the need to fruitfully carry out the agreements reached by the two Governments, including the Viet Nam-Laos Strategic Cooperation Agreement for the 2021-2030 period, the bilateral cooperation agreement for the 2021-2025 period, and an agreement on Viet Nam-Laos cooperation plan in 2024.

The pair agreed that the two sides should continue to improve the effectiveness of defense and security cooperation to effectively handle new challenges, strengthen border management and protection, and prevent transnational crimes, especially drug crime while joining hands in the search and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who sacrificed during the wartime in Laos.

They pledged to boost local-to-local cooperation, promote connectivity between the two economies, especially in terms of institutions, finance, transport infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and tourism, and step up the implementation of Vientiane-Ha Noi expressway project, Vientiane-Vung Ang railway and other key projects.

The two Prime Ministers agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation between Viet Nam, Laos and a development partner to mobilize more resources for their cooperation projects.

Both sides agreed to effectively implement protocols and cooperation projects in the fields of education and human resource development as well as foster collaboration in health, culture, arts and sports.

They underscored the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region, including promoting solidarity, common positions and centrality of ASEAN in addressing security and strategic issues in the region, including the East Sea issue.

Both sides pledged to continue close coordination and mutual support at international and regional forums, such as ASEAN, the UN, the Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms, particularly the relations between Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia./.