Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong co-chaired the Expert-level Conference of the 47th Session of the Vietnam-US Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation.

(MPI) - On the afternoon of January 8, 2025, in Vientiane, Laos, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment of Vietnam Tran Quoc Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committee Viengsavanh Vilayphone co-chaired the Expert-level Conference of the 47th Session of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation.

Overview of the Conference. Photo: MPI

Attending the Conference on the Vietnamese side were representatives of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission; the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos; representatives of 26 ministries, branches and localities of Vietnam. On the Lao side were representatives of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Party; the Government Office ; the Ministries of Planning and Investment; Natural Resources, Nature and Environment; Security; Industry and Trade; Labor and Social Welfare; Information Technology and Communications...

The conference aimed to evaluate and review the implementation of the Agreement on the Cooperation Plan for 2024, thereby developing the Cooperation Plan for 2025. In addition, the conference discussed and agreed on the draft content of the Cooperation Plan for 2025 to be submitted to the two Governments for consideration at the 47th Session of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee on January 9, 2025.

At the Conference, the two sides also continued to implement the memorandum of understanding on the Transport Cooperation Strategy for the period 2016-2025 and vision to 2030. The two sides coordinated to research and promote capital sources for key projects such as the Vientiane - Hanoi Expressway, the Vientiane - Thakhek - Tan Ap - Vung Ang Railway, and other important transport connection projects... The two sides have also basically completed investment cooperation in developing berths 1, 2 and 3 of Vung Ang port.

Speaking at the Conference, Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong said that the two sides need to continue to focus on implementing the directions of the two Politburoes, the Joint Statements and High-level Agreements of the two countries; continue to implement the 10-year Cooperation Strategy 2021-2030 and the 5-year Cooperation Agreement 2021-2025. In particular, 2025 is the last year of implementing the 5-year Cooperation Agreement.

Accordingly, the two sides need to pay attention to implementing a number of contents such as continuing to consolidate and develop political and diplomatic relations: Vietnam's consistent policy is to always attach importance to and give the highest priority to preserving and developing the special Vietnam - Laos relationship, considering it a priceless asset, of vital significance to the revolutionary cause of each country.

In the coming time, the two sides need to continue to thoroughly grasp the contents of the Agreement of the Senior Leaders, the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Senior Leaders between the two parties; strengthen political relations and exchange delegations in a practical and effective manner; consolidate and improve the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms; coordinate to implement the construction of a number of projects and embellish historical relics of the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos; focus on promptly resolving difficulties and problems arising in the relationship between the two countries; strengthen cooperation in information exchange, consultation, and mutual support within the framework of the ASEAN Community and multilateral, regional and international cooperation forums and mechanisms.

Along with that, continue to cooperate closely in defense and security; build a peaceful, stable, cooperative and comprehensively developed Vietnam - Laos border: Effectively combat the activities of hostile forces; prevent all types of crimes that violate the law occurring in the border areas of the two countries; prevent transnational crimes, especially crimes of trafficking and transporting drugs across the border. The two sides have effectively coordinated to implement projects to build village clusters, the Drug Rehabilitation Center Project and activate the project to build a population management system and citizen identification in Laos.

Strengthening connectivity between the two economies, promoting investment and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Laos

Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong said that Vietnam will continue to strengthen its support for Laos in terms of experience in stabilizing the macro-economy, sustainable development, and improving the business environment. The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Committee will continue to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee, and relevant agencies of the two countries to continue implementing the very important task assigned by the Prime Minister on presiding over the implementation of the task of the Vietnamese Expert Group to support Laos in building an independent, self-reliant economy, stabilizing the macro-economy, and building a 10-year socio-economic development strategy for the 2026-2035 period, with a vision to 2045.

Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong speaks at the Conference. Photo: MPI

Strengthening connectivity and complementarity between the two economies; creating a stable, transparent legal corridor and a favorable environment; having specific mechanisms for key security and defense projects: Promoting Vietnamese enterprises to invest in industries and fields that are consistent with Laos' priority orientation, focusing on the following areas: high-tech agriculture associated with processing to become export goods; renewable energy, especially projects in the border areas of the two countries connected to Vietnam's power grid; deep-processed mineral mines for Vietnamese enterprises; tourism connection. Consider and pilot new, specific mechanisms and policies to attract Vietnamese enterprises to form joint ventures and partnerships with foreign partners to implement investment projects in Laos. Organizing investment and trade promotion conferences between the two sides, inviting large enterprises and important partners such as Japan, Korea, the EU, etc. to attend to attract investment.

Promote trade turnover growth by about 10-15%; strengthen trade promotion, brand building, and distribution channels for goods in each country to ensure stable presence and sustainable output.

Regarding cooperation in electricity trading: Continue to coordinate to review and study in detail the electricity trading prices for power projects expected to be put into operation after 2025; study the connection of the two countries' transmission lines to meet the demand for electricity trading from power projects in Laos in the future; create favorable conditions to promote the implementation of wind power projects in border areas to sell electricity to Vietnam.

Continue to prioritize and promote the improvement of quality in cooperation in education - training and human resource development; The Vietnamese Government will provide scholarships for Lao officials and students to study in Vietnam; continue to send teachers to teach Vietnamese in Laos; support funding for 4-month preparatory training in Vietnamese in Laos for Lao students before going to Vietnam. Continue to coordinate the implementation of the Project "Incorporating the content of works on the history of the special relationship between Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam into teaching in schools of the two countries.

Continue to innovate mechanisms, improve the efficiency of aid capital use, focus on key investments, avoid spreading out, and promote immediate effectiveness to contribute to promoting socio-economic development for Laos.

Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong also suggested that the two countries' Cooperation Committees regularly coordinate to inspect projects using aid capital to urge implementation to ensure progress and quality; transfer capital allocated during the year from projects behind schedule to projects that meet or exceed progress and have the ability to disburse.

Bilateral cooperation in 2024 has had strong development, making important contributions to the development of each country.

Speaking at the Conference, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committee Viengsavanh Vilayphone welcomed Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong and the Vietnamese delegation to the Conference in Vientiane, Laos; presented an overview of Laos' socio-economic situation in 2024 and the socio-economic development plan for 2025.

Mr. Viengsavanh Vilayphone speaking at the Conference. Photo: MPI

In general, the Lao PDR continues to maintain political stability, social order, people's lives are gradually improved, and the position and role of the Lao PDR are increasingly enhanced in the international and regional arena. This is clearly demonstrated by the fact that Laos has successfully assumed the role of ASEAN Chair, the 45th AIPA Chair and many other summits in 2024.

Mr. Viengsavanh Vilayphone said that in 2024, Laos' GDP growth will reach 4.6% (exceeding the plan of 4.5%), and budget revenue will exceed the plan for 4 consecutive years. For 2025, Laos sets an economic growth target of 6.5%. In particular, the plan will be implemented in a focused, scientific, high-quality, innovative and creative manner that is consistent with Laos' actual potential.

Assessing the bilateral cooperation situation in 2024, Mr. Viengsavanh Vilayphone emphasized that under the regular guidance of the leaders of the Party and State of the two countries, the two sides have actively coordinated to implement the contents of the Laos - Vietnam high-level agreement and achieved practical results. Bilateral cooperation in 2024 has had strong development, making important contributions to the development of each country, consolidating and promoting the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

Regarding political and foreign cooperation, continue to deepen, closely connect, trust, and play a core role in the overall orientation of the bilateral relationship. Joint statements and high-level agreements between the two countries have been well implemented by all levels from central to local levels. The two sides continue to exchange delegations regularly, especially the State visit to Laos by General Secretary To Lam (July 11-12, 2024, when he was President); the State visit to Vietnam and attendance at the annual high-level meeting between the two parties by General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith (September 11-13, 2024). Vietnam has actively supported Laos in performing its role as ASEAN Chair, AIPA Chair and other high-level conferences in 2024.

The two sides have well organized research courses, thematic exchanges and short-term training courses on high-level political theory for Lao managers at all levels; continued to coordinate well in implementing the Agreement on National Border Regulations and National Border Markers, the Agreement on Border Management Regulations and Land Border Gates between Laos and Vietnam signed in 2016...

Regarding economic and trade cooperation, Vietnam has shared experiences, management measures, and maintained macroeconomic stability. The two sides have established a specialized committee to study and develop the Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2026-2035 and Vision to 2045 of Laos. In 2024, Vietnam's investment in Laos achieved positive results, with a number of major projects in the energy sector being promoted, typically the Truong Son Wind Power Project, Xekaman 3, and Viet Phuong Group; At the same time, the two sides have also actively promoted the organization of meetings to consult and remove difficulties and obstacles related to projects of Vietnamese enterprises investing in Laos.

Bilateral trade turnover in 2024 will reach more than 2 billion USD, up 32.8% over the same period in 2023. Of which, Laos' import value from Vietnam will reach 641.8 million USD, up 32% over the same period in 2023; export value from Laos to Vietnam will reach 1.3 billion USD, up 26.2% over the same period in 2023. The two sides signed the new version of the Laos - Vietnam Trade Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation against smuggling and tax evasion across the Laos - Vietnam border on April 8, 2024; at the same time, continue to build a legal framework for special trade priorities for import and export goods of the two countries.

Delegates take souvenir photo. Photo: MPI

The two sides have actively implemented cooperation agreements to develop energy, electricity and mineral projects between the two governments. To date, the total capacity of electricity projects in Laos approved by the Vietnamese Prime Minister for import to Vietnam is 2,117 MW (compared to the target of 3,000 MW in the 2021-2025 period).

At the end of the Conference, the two sides agreed on two draft documents including: Minutes of the 47th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation and Agreement on the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Plan for 2025. It is expected that on January 9, 2025, the 47th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation will take place under the chairmanship of the Prime Ministers of the two countries./.

Tung Linh

Ministry of Planning and Investment

Source: https://www.mpi.gov.vn/portal/Pages/2025-1-9/Minister-Tran-Quoc-Phuong-dong-chu-tri-Hoi-nghi-3f7040.aspx