Making Vietnam-Laos relations a unique model in the world

According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, "we are always proud of the great efforts of many generations in building the country, nurturing the Vietnam - Laos relationship to continuously blossom and bear fruit."

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived in Laos this morning to attend a high-level meeting between the two parties and co-chair the 48th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

The Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee is a very important mechanism to implement the relationship of "great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion" between the two Parties and two States.

This is not only an annual meeting to review cooperation agreements during the year, but also a special meeting as it takes place right after the high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

General Secretary To Lam and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith attended the inauguration of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Park this afternoon. Photo: VNA

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone co-chaired the meeting, affirming the highest political concern and determination of senior leaders in nurturing the “unique” relationship as well as the key role of the Intergovernmental Committee mechanism - a cooperation institution that has been maintained for the past 48 years.

Before the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong said that this year, the two sides will comprehensively evaluate the results of cooperation areas in the 5 years 2021-2025.

The meeting also has a strategic orientation when the two sides will discuss and propose cooperation directions for 2026 and the following years.

Based on the results of General Secretary To Lam's visit to Laos and high-level agreements, the two sides will discuss and agree to make economic cooperation one of the pillars of strategic cohesion.

The Deputy Minister said this is also an opportunity to affirm and deepen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic ties between Vietnam and Laos. This close connection has strategic significance not only for the stability and development of each country but also contributes positively to peace, stability and cooperation in the region.

Many key cooperation projects, especially in the 2024-2025 period, have had difficulties removed, progress accelerated, brought about substantial results, and created new momentum for cooperation.

Officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Vientiane to co-chair the 48th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee. Photo: VNA

The two sides affirmed that the Vietnam-Laos relationship is a rare, loyal, pure and exemplary relationship; a decisive factor in the victory of each country's revolution and a priceless common asset of the two Parties and two peoples. This relationship needs to be preserved, promoted and passed on to future generations.

The two sides have effectively promoted existing cooperation mechanisms and at the same time built new mechanisms to promptly remove difficulties and obstacles in implementing agreements.

Defense, security and foreign affairs cooperation between Vietnam and Laos is maintained and developed as an important pillar in the relationship.

Several large-scale energy and mineral exploitation projects have been promoted for implementation. This has created an important driving force for other Vietnamese investment projects in Laos.

Vietnam has 276 investment projects in Laos with a total registered capital of over 6.21 billion USD, of which the implemented capital is about 3 billion USD. Many large projects have been completed, operating effectively and bringing profits, contributing to creating jobs for Lao people, promoting socio-economic development of the two countries.

In the 2021-2025 period, the Lao Government has allowed Vietnamese enterprises to invest in 35 projects in various fields with a total registered capital of 4.3 billion USD. Vietnamese enterprises contribute an average of about 200 million USD/year in taxes and financial obligations to the Lao Government.

In the 2021-2025 period, Vietnam-Laos trade growth exceeded the target set by the two countries' leaders, striving to bring bilateral trade turnover to 5 billion USD.

"Looking back at the journey we have gone through, we are always proud of the great efforts of many generations in building the country, nurturing the Vietnam - Laos relationship to continuously blossom and bear fruit; making this relationship extremely exemplary, loyal, pure and the only model in the world" - Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong affirmed.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dua-quan-he-viet-lao-tro-thanh-hinh-mau-duy-nhat-tren-the-gioi-2468623.html