Minister of Foreign Affairs: Vietnam - Laos relations have more momentum to improve and create breakthroughs

Open new cooperation dynamics

On the evening of December 3, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation returned to Hanoi , successfully concluding their working trip to the Lao People's Democratic Republic on December 2-3 at the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung gave an interview on the results of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip to Laos. According to Minister Le Hoai Trung, during his working trip to Laos, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh co-chaired the 48th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee; attended the High-level Meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; and attended the ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Laos' National Day and the 105th anniversary of the birth of the late President Kaysone Phomvihane.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung answers the press about the results of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip to Laos. Photo: Nhat Bac

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung answers the press about the results of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip to Laos. Photo: Nhat Bac

At the 48th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, co-chaired by the Prime Ministers of the two countries, the determination of the two Parties and two States to immediately implement the agreements of the High-level Meeting of the two Parties held earlier was demonstrated.

Not only that, the meeting also demonstrated the determination of the two Parties and two States to bring the relationship between the two countries to a new level, with strategic connection. Besides the traditional relationship of "great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation", the two countries have now raised the relationship to a higher level of "strategic connection".

At the meeting, the two leaders agreed not only to immediately implement the work of bringing the bilateral relationship to the level of strategic engagement, but also to concretize the agreements of the two Parties and the elevation of that strategy.

This was done through specific directions and measures, demonstrated in the talks between the two Prime Ministers, the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, and important documents signed at the 48th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee.

These include the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Agreement for the 2026 - 2030 period, the Agreement on the 2026 Cooperation Plan and the minutes clearly stating the contents and points of agreement of this meeting.

The meeting also created important new conditions for the two countries to implement the development guidelines, defense and security guidelines, and foreign policies set forth by the two Parties during the next Congress term, to be held in early 2026.

Orientation to elevate Vietnam - Laos relations

The 48th meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee was very successful. To implement the results of the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that first of all , Vietnam needs to thoroughly grasp the agreements of the two Parties and the instructions of General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith; at the same time, thoroughly grasp the documents agreed by the two sides at the 48th meeting, including: Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the period 2026 - 2030; Agreement on the 2026 Cooperation Plan between the two Governments; and other agreements reached by the two sides, as well as the contents agreed by the two Prime Ministers.

This implementation needs to clarify all agreements, especially the new ideas proposed by the two Parties and General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, as well as the contents that the two Prime Ministers discussed and agreed upon.

Specifically, it is necessary to improve the effectiveness of political relations, ensure that political relations are truly solid and play a guiding role for the overall defense and security relations. Thereby creating new and more solid developments, ensuring a peaceful and stable environment for the country's development. At the same time, it is necessary to create breakthroughs in economic cooperation; expand and improve the effectiveness of cooperation in culture, education and training.

A very important idea that needs to be thoroughly understood is to create a breakthrough in economic and investment cooperation, with a focus on strengthening economic linkages. This strengthening of linkages aims to raise the strategic level, create strategic cohesion, development goals and vision in the construction process; at the same time, promote linkages in infrastructure, energy, transportation, etc.

The second is to renew the existing cooperation contents, while expanding to new fields, demonstrating the spirit of "strategic cohesion"; promoting the potential and strengths of each country, especially increasing the participation not only of the State but also of the business community in all fields.

Third is to improve the effectiveness of coordination mechanisms. As Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh mentioned and agreed by the Lao Prime Minister, the two sides can hold regular meetings every three months. The two Ministers who co-chair the Bilateral Cooperation Committee will also meet every three months to review and assess the situation.

Fourth , the two sides discussed and agreed on key projects. In the next five years, the Vietnamese Party and State have decided to increase the level of non-refundable aid for Laos by 2.5 times with the common spirit of focusing on key projects, not spreading out, ensuring practical effectiveness.

To do so, there must be a specific plan for implementation. With that spirit, cooperation between the two parties and two countries will create new resources for the entire development process and to ensure national defense and security as well as in the international integration process of each party and each country.

To do this, according to Minister Le Hoai Trung, the two sides need to have a very specific implementation plan. With that spirit, the cooperation between the two Parties and the two States will create new resources for the entire development process, while ensuring national defense and security and promoting the international integration process of each country.

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