Promote the construction of highways and railways connecting Vietnam and Laos

This is one of the contents that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone agreed to strengthen cooperation in the coming time.

Toàn cảnh cuộc hội đàm tại trụ sở Chính phủ - Ảnh: HẢI NGUYỄN — *Overview of the talks at the Government headquarters - Photo: HAI NGUYEN*

On January 6th, following the official welcoming ceremony for Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his wife, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with the Lao leader in a warm and fraternal atmosphere.

Strengthening high-level visits and contacts.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly welcomed Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on his first official visit to Vietnam in his new capacity, affirming that Vietnam always values 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. On this occasion, the two leaders reviewed the bilateral relationship over the past period, noting its positive, comprehensive, profound, and effective development. Regarding future cooperation directions, the two Prime Ministers agreed to strengthen exchanges of high-level visits and contacts. They also agreed to continue focusing on effectively implementing agreements between the high-level leaders of the two Parties and countries of Vietnam and Laos, as well as agreements between the three heads of the Communist Party of Vietnam , the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

Thủ tướng Phạm Minh Chính tại hội đàm - Ảnh: HẢI NGUYỄN — *Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the meeting - Photo: HAI NGUYEN*

The two leaders also agreed to continue implementing the agreements between the two governments, including the Vietnam-Laos Strategic Cooperation Agreement for the period 2021-2030, the Vietnam-Laos Bilateral Cooperation Agreement for the period 2021-2025, and the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Plan Agreement for 2024. The two Prime Ministers agreed to further enhance the effectiveness of defense and security cooperation to effectively address new challenges. This includes strengthening border management and protection, combating transnational crime, especially drug trafficking. The two countries will continue to coordinate and support the search, excavation, and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos, as well as promoting development cooperation between localities of the two countries.

Thủ tướng Lào Sonexay Siphandone phát biểu tại hội đàm - Ảnh: HẢI NGUYỄN — *Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone speaks at the talks - Photo: HAI NGUYEN*

Strengthening the economic ties between Vietnam and Laos.

Both sides will strengthen the connectivity between the Vietnamese and Lao economies , especially in terms of institutions, finance, transportation infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and tourism. This includes continuing to promote the Vientiane-Hanoi expressway project, the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway project, and other key cooperation projects. The two countries will support each other in building independent and self-reliant economies, coupled with proactive and effective international integration, as well as strengthening trilateral cooperation between Vietnam, Laos, and appropriate development partners to attract and create additional resources for cooperation projects. Vietnam and Laos will coordinate to review and resolve difficulties and obstacles, creating a favorable investment and business environment so that Vietnamese businesses can confidently operate in Laos. Simultaneously, they effectively implemented protocols and cooperation projects in the fields of education and human resource development. The two Prime Ministers also exchanged views on a number of international and regional issues of common concern, agreeing to continue to coordinate closely and support each other in regional and international forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, the Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, and especially to continuously promote the close cooperative relationship between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is ready to support Laos in successfully assuming its important international responsibilities in 2024, including its role as ASEAN Chair.

Hai Thủ tướng chứng kiến lễ ký kết và trao văn kiện hợp tác giữa hai Bộ Quốc phòng - Ảnh: NGUYỄN KHÁNH — *The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing and exchange of cooperation documents between the two Ministries of Defense - Photo: HAI NGUYEN*

Immediately following the talks, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing ceremony of four cooperation documents, including: - A Protocol on Border Defense Cooperation between the Ministries of National Defence of Vietnam and Laos. - A Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation Plan between the Government Offices of Vietnam and the Prime Minister's Office of Laos. - A Memorandum of Understanding on the Development and Connectivity of Border Trade Infrastructure between the Governments of Vietnam and Laos. - A Cooperation Plan for 2024 between the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos.