The two Prime Ministers agreed to promote the expressway project connecting the capitals of Vietnam and Laos.

At the talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandon, they agreed to continue promoting the Vientiane- Hanoi expressway project, the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway and other key cooperation projects.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandon agreed to continue promoting the Vientiane-Hanoi expressway and Vientiane-Vung Ang railway projects. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

On the morning of January 6, after the official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Sonexay Siphandon within the framework of the official visit to Vietnam and co-chairing of the 46th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandon.

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly welcomed Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on his first official visit to Vietnam in his new position.

The Head of the Vietnamese Government highly appreciated the achievements that the Lao Party, State and People have attained in recent times; especially the stable socio-political situation, maintained national defense and security, and economic recovery; and expressed his belief that under the wise leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the brotherly country of Laos will overcome all difficulties and challenges, successfully implement the 9th Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan, and continue to successfully implement the Resolution of the 11th National Party Congress.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sincerely thanked the Lao Party and State for their valuable support and assistance to Vietnam’s past struggle for national independence and its current cause of national construction and development; affirming that Vietnam always attaches importance to and gives the highest priority to the special Vietnam-Laos relationship.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone thanked the Vietnamese Government and People for the warm and respectful welcome given to the high-ranking Lao Government delegation; emphasized his joy in visiting Vietnam for the first time in his new position; expressed his impression and congratulated Vietnam on the great achievements in socio-economic development, national defense-security, and foreign affairs that Vietnam has achieved in recent times, helping to continuously enhance Vietnam's prestige and position in the international arena and considered this a great encouragement for the cause of protecting and building Laos.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone sincerely thanked Vietnam for its valuable, wholehearted support and assistance to Laos during the struggle for independence and the process of national development.

The two Prime Ministers expressed their delight at the fine, comprehensive, extensive and effective development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in all fields. Political relations continue to be consolidated, with increasing trust, closeness and playing a core role in guiding the overall relationship between the two countries. The two sides regularly exchange visits and high-level meetings and contacts. Defense, security and foreign affairs cooperation continue to be important pillars, increasingly in-depth and effective, helping to consolidate the solid foundation of the relationship between the two countries. Economic, trade and investment cooperation continues to have positive changes.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted the official welcoming ceremony for Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Vietnam currently has 241 investment projects in Laos with a total registered capital of 5.47 billion USD, maintaining the 3rd position among countries/territories investing in Laos. The total bilateral trade turnover in 2023 is expected to reach more than 1.5 billion USD. Cooperation in other fields such as: Education-training, culture, science and technology, tourism and people-to-people exchange... is constantly being consolidated and enhanced.

Regarding the direction of cooperation in the coming time, the two Prime Ministers agreed to increase the exchange of high-level visits and contacts. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that the two Governments concretize and effectively implement the agreement between the two Politburoes of Vietnam and Laos and the results of the meeting of the heads of the three parties between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Hun Sen; effectively implement the agreements between the two Governments, including the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Strategy Agreement for the 2021-2030 period, the Agreement on Vietnam-Laos Bilateral Cooperation for the 2021-2025 period and the Agreement on the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Plan 2024.

The two Prime Ministers agreed to continue to enhance the effectiveness of defense and security cooperation to effectively handle new challenges; strengthen border management and protection, and prevent transnational crimes, especially drug crimes; and continue to coordinate and support in searching for, excavating and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos.

The two leaders agreed to promote development cooperation between localities of the two countries; strengthen connectivity between the two economies of Vietnam and Laos, especially in terms of institutions, finance, transport infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and tourism; continue to promote the Vientiane-Hanoi expressway, Vientiane-Vung Ang railway and other key cooperation projects; support each other in building an independent and self-reliant economy, associated with proactive, active, deep, substantive and effective international integration; strengthen tripartite cooperation between Vietnam and Laos and appropriate development partners to attract and create more resources for cooperation projects.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandon and his wife. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The two sides also agreed to coordinate to review and resolve difficulties and obstacles, create a favorable investment and business environment so that Vietnamese enterprises can feel secure doing business in Laos; effectively implement the Protocols and Cooperation Projects in the fields of education and human resources development; promote cooperation in health, culture, arts and sports; and step up propaganda and education on the tradition of the special Vietnam-Laos relationship for all classes of people, especially the young generation of the two countries.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two Prime Ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability in the region, including maintaining solidarity, common stance and ASEAN's central role in regional security and strategic issues, including the East Sea issue; agreed to continue to closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms; and especially to continuously promote the close cooperation between Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is ready to support Laos in successfully assuming its international responsibilities in 2024, including the role of ASEAN Chair.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh respectfully sent greetings, best wishes and New Year greetings from General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and senior leaders of Vietnam to General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith, President; National Assembly Chairman Xaysomphone Phomvihane and senior leaders of the Lao Party and State.

Immediately after the talks, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of four cooperation documents, including: (i) Border Cooperation Protocol between the Vietnamese and Lao Ministries of National Defense; (ii) Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation Plan between the Office of the Government of Vietnam and the Office of the Lao Prime Minister for the period 2024 - 2025; (iii) Memorandum of Understanding on the development and connection of border trade infrastructure between the Vietnamese and Lao Governments; and (iv) Cooperation Plan for 2024 between the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hai-thu-tuong-nhat-tri-thuc-day-du-an-cao-toc-noi-thu-do-hai-nuoc-viet-nam-lao-256442.html