Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives the Minister of Planning and Investment of Laos.

On the afternoon of September 14th, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received the Lao Minister of Planning and Investment, Khamchen Vongphosy, Chairman of the Lao-Vietnam Cooperation Committee, and his delegation who were visiting and working in Vietnam.

Welcoming the Minister to Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his confidence that the visit would yield many positive and substantive results, contributing to further strengthening the relationship between the two countries' Cooperation Committees and the planning and investment sectors, thereby further consolidating, nurturing, and enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in various fields.

The Prime Minister affirmed and expressed confidence that, despite the current complex and unpredictable global and regional situation, with more challenges than opportunities, under the wise leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the Lao Government, the fraternal country of Laos will successfully implement the plans and tasks set forth; affirming Vietnam's consistent policy of always valuing and giving the highest priority to preserving and developing the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, considering it an invaluable asset of vital importance to the revolutionary cause of each country.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamchen Vongphosy. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister requested that the two Ministries of Planning and Investment and the Joint Cooperation Committee of the two countries coordinate closely, promote the active implementation of assigned tasks by relevant ministries, sectors, localities, and agencies of both countries, further enhance the effectiveness of existing close cooperation mechanisms, strongly promote the mechanism of the Joint Cooperation Committee of the two countries, prepare well for the 46th Session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, successfully complete the agreement on the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Plan for 2023, and contribute to concretizing the agreements of high-level leaders with specific products and results and creating new breakthroughs.

This includes strengthening economic connectivity between the two countries, especially transportation links such as highway systems and the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway; resolving remaining difficulties and obstacles to promote key cooperation projects and launching new cooperation projects; promoting investment activities of businesses from both countries with appropriate preferential mechanisms and policies; leveraging complementary strengths in markets and raw materials; and implementing measures to increase bilateral trade turnover… to support each other in overcoming difficulties and challenges, contributing to each country's development of an independent and self-reliant economy, coupled with proactive and comprehensive international integration.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamchen Vongphosy. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

The Prime Minister proposed that the two countries continue to consolidate and strengthen political and diplomatic relations and contacts at the ministerial, sectoral, and local levels; promote cooperation in the defense and security sector; coordinate closely to ensure the maintenance of political stability, security, order, and social safety in each country, especially ensuring security along the border; and coordinate closely and effectively in multilateral forums.

Minister Khamchen Vongphosy thanked the Prime Minister for taking the time to receive him; congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in national construction and development in recent years and its important recent results in integration and foreign relations; and conveyed greetings and regards from Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The Minister announced the results of the mid-term meeting of the Committee for Cooperation between the two countries; requested Vietnam to continue actively supporting Laos in organizing the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2024; stated that the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Lao-Vietnam Cooperation Committee, and he personally will continue to actively contribute to promoting cooperation between the two countries, concretizing the agreements and directives of the high-level leaders of the two countries, including the contents that the Prime Minister has commented on, constantly strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, ensuring it remains ever-lasting and sustainable for generations to come.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam always stands shoulder to shoulder with Laos and provides all possible support, including supporting Laos in successfully assuming the ASEAN chairmanship in 2024.

On this occasion, through the Minister, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed his greetings and best wishes to the General Secretary and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, the Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, and other leaders of the Lao Party and State.

According to VNA/News Agency

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