Adding new content to Vietnam - Laos relations

At the talks, the two leaders agreed to add new content to the Vietnam-Laos relationship, orienting long-term companionship for common interests.

General Secretary To Lam and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith on December 1 in Vientiane, Laos - Photo: VNA

On the morning of December 1, after the solemn official welcoming ceremony for General Secretary To Lam and his wife along with the high-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam at the Presidential Palace according to the highest protocol reserved for heads of state, General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith held talks with General Secretary To Lam.

New connotations in bilateral relations

According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , at the talks, the two leaders emphasized the significance of General Secretary To Lam's visit. The two sides congratulated each other on their important domestic and foreign achievements in recent times, and reiterated the close relationship between the two countries, two Parties, and two peoples.

The Lao Party, State and people share the great losses of the Vietnamese people in the recent storms and floods and are ready to help Vietnam overcome difficulties soon.

The two leaders also had in-depth discussions on the situation in each country, in which General Secretary To Lam informed about the development situation in all aspects of Vietnam, including the arrangement and streamlining of the political system apparatus that has been implemented comprehensively, thoroughly and synchronously throughout the country.

Assessing the close and trustworthy political relationship between the two countries that has been continuously strengthened, the two sides agreed to effectively implement high-level agreements and plans, especially the results of the high-level meeting between the two Parties in 2025 and the third meeting between the three heads of the three Parties of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

The two sides agreed to effectively promote cooperation mechanisms, deepen the relationship between the two Parties and two countries through existing cooperation mechanisms, high-level visits and exchanges... They agreed to closely coordinate to support the good organization of important events between the two countries, first of all the Party Congresses of each country, thereby continuing to affirm the new height of the Vietnam - Laos political relationship.

Scene of the talks between the two leaders - Photo: VNA

On the basis of inheriting and promoting the tradition of special solidarity, the two sides agreed to deepen bilateral relations by adding new connotations: "Great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, strategic cohesion".

This is an affirmation of the common vision, intertwined strategic interests and long-term companionship orientation for the goal of sustainable development, self-reliance and common prosperity of the two peoples.

Aiming for turnover of 5 - 10 billion USD

The two leaders emphasized that defense and security cooperation between the two countries is increasingly close and effective, an important pillar in bilateral relations.

On that basis, the two countries continue to promote defense and security cooperation, closely coordinate and support each other in responding to increasingly diverse and complex security challenges, as well as linking security and defense with socio-economic development.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen strong economic, infrastructure, banking-finance, and tourism connections between the two countries, striving to raise the turnover to 5 billion USD in the near future and towards 10 billion USD in the coming time, associated with strengthening connectivity in transport infrastructure, energy, and logistics.

In addition, the two sides agreed to strengthen the exchange of experiences in macroeconomic management and anti-corruption. The two sides agreed to accelerate the implementation of agreements to support each other in building an independent and self-reliant economy, and to strengthen the exchange of experiences in macroeconomic management and institutional reform.

The two countries will closely coordinate to resolve bottlenecks, creating conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to effectively implement and expand investment projects in Laos, making practical contributions to the socio-economic development of Laos. In addition, they will regularly coordinate to inspect and urge the implementation of projects using aid capital, ensuring progress, efficiency and quality.

The two leaders agreed to strongly promote and create breakthroughs in economic, cultural, scientific and technological cooperation; and agreed to promote connectivity in transportation, electricity, telecommunications, and tourism.

The two leaders witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between ministries, branches and localities of the two countries - Photo: VNA

In addition, it was agreed to continue improving the quality of education, training and human resource development, focusing on training high-quality human resources; promoting people-to-people exchanges and exchanges between localities...

The two sides assessed that the world situation is undergoing many profound changes, evolving rapidly and complicatedly, with many opportunities as well as challenges for the stability and development of the two countries.

In that context, the two leaders affirmed the need to maintain effective communication on international situations, care for and support each other at multilateral and regional ASEAN forums, as well as protect each other's legitimate interests in accordance with international law, including the East Sea issue.

On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam respectfully invited General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his wife to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time. The Lao leader sincerely thanked and happily accepted the invitation.

At the end of the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of 12 important cooperation documents between ministries, branches, localities and relevant agencies of the two countries.

DUY LINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bo-sung-noi-ham-moi-cho-quan-he-viet-lao-20251201153038932.htm