Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held talks with Acting Head of the Lao Central Committee for Foreign Affairs

Phó Thủ tướng, Bộ trưởng Ngoại giao Bùi Thanh Sơn hội đàm với Quyền trưởng Ban Đối ngoại Trung ương Lào

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son welcomed Comrade Bounleua Phandanouvong, Acting Head of the Lao Central Committee for Foreign Affairs.

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that Comrade Bounleua Phandanouvong's visit to Vietnam is of great significance, in the context that the two countries are actively preparing for the National Party Congress in each country and in the context that Vietnam has just completed the merger of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . Believing that the visit will achieve many substantive results, officially opening a new stage of cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Lao Central Foreign Affairs Commission, contributing to the continued development of the relationship between the two countries, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister congratulated the important achievements that Laos has achieved in recent times.

Acting Head of the Lao Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Commission Bounleua Phandanouvong emphasized that this was the first official foreign visit in his new position, taking place right after the two countries' important foreign affairs activities in recent times, affirming the consistent policy of always valuing and giving the highest priority to the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos; thanking Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son for the thoughtful and respectful reception given to the delegation.

Comrade Bounleua Phandanouvong's visit to Vietnam is of great significance, in the context that the two countries are actively preparing for the National Party Congress in each country.

In an atmosphere of sincerity, frankness and trust, the two sides informed each other about the situation in each country. The Acting Head of the Lao Central Committee for Foreign Affairs emphasized that every glorious victory of the Lao Party, State and people in the past struggle for independence as well as in the current cause of national construction and development cannot be separated from the great help and support of the Party, State and people of Vietnam.

The two sides expressed their joy that the Vietnam-Laos cooperative relationship continues to develop strongly and effectively in all fields. Political relations have been constantly strengthened through regular exchanges of delegations and contacts at high and all levels. Security and defense cooperation has been strengthened and is an important pillar of cooperation. Economic cooperation has been promoted, with two-way trade turnover in 2024 reaching 2.2 billion USD, an increase of 33.9% compared to 2023; in the first 4 months of 2025, it reached 1.3 billion USD, an increase of 109.3% compared to the same period in 2024; in particular, the two sides inaugurated Vung Ang wharf 3, a symbol of the solidarity of the two countries, opening a new era of development in economic cooperation between the two countries and creating conditions for Laos to have access to the sea. Cooperation in other important areas such as transport connectivity, education and training, culture, people-to-people exchange, coordination at regional and international forums... cooperation between ministries, sectors and localities on both sides of the border also achieved many important results.

At the meeting, Acting Head of the Lao Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Commission Bounleua Phandanouvong affirmed the consistent policy of always valuing and giving the highest priority to the special Vietnam-Laos relationship.

The two sides highly appreciated the cooperation and close coordination between the two Central External Relations Commissions in the past time; agreed that on the basis of continuing the tradition of that good relationship, in the coming time, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Lao Central External Relations Commission will be highly determined to effectively implement the content of the high-level agreements of the two Parties and the two countries, and at the same time agree to coordinate to build a Cooperation Agreement between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Lao Central External Relations Commission for the period 2026-2030; well prepare for foreign affairs activities of the two countries' senior leaders and cooperation mechanisms; strengthen information exchange, share experiences in Party building work, prepare for the Party Congress of each country; coordinate well in organizing activities to celebrate major holidays of the two countries; step up propaganda and education about the special Vietnam-Laos relationship.

The two sides also shared views on the world and regional situation; agreed to actively exchange assessments of the situation and coordinate positions on regional strategic issues, closely coordinate positions and views at ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms. In particular, they will strengthen cooperation on bilateral channels to promote the value of the Vietnam-Laos relationship as well as within the socialist system.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/pho-thu-tuong-bo-truong-ngoai-giao-bui-thanh-son-hoi-dam-voi-quyen-truong-ban-doi-ngoai-trung-uong-lao-316377.html