Vietnam - Laos strengthen strategic ties, opening up new cooperation momentum

At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh paid a working visit to Laos from December 2-3, 2025.

The 48th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung answered questions about the results of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip, co-chairing the 48th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee. The following is the content of the interview:
Minister, could you please tell us the important significance of the 48th Meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee?

At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh co-chaired the 48th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee. The Prime Minister also attended the High-level Meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, and attended the ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Laos' National Day and the 105th anniversary of the birth of the late President Kaysone Phomvihane.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has had many important activities, notably co-chairing the 48th Meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, demonstrating the determination of the two Parties and two States to immediately implement the agreements of the previous High-level Meeting between the two Parties.

Second, this Session also demonstrates the determination of the two Parties and States to bring the bilateral relationship to a new level, with strategic ties. In addition to the traditional relationship of “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation”, the two countries have now raised their relationship to a higher level of “strategic ties”.

Third, not only should we immediately implement the work of bringing the bilateral relationship to the level of strategic engagement, but we should also concretize the agreements of the two Parties and the elevation of that strategy. This is done through specific directions and measures, as demonstrated in the talks between the two Prime Ministers, the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, and important documents signed at the 48th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee. These include the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Agreement for the 2026-2030 period, the Agreement on the 2026 Cooperation Plan, and the minutes clearly stating the contents and points of agreement of this Session.

This session creates important new conditions for the two countries to implement the development guidelines, defense and security guidelines, and foreign policies set forth by the two Parties during the next Congress term, to be held in early 2026.

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung. Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA

The 48th meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee was very successful. Could you please tell us what measures will be taken to realize the results of the meeting right after this meeting?

To implement the results of the Session, we first need to thoroughly grasp the agreements of the two Parties and the instructions of General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith; at the same time, thoroughly grasp the documents agreed upon by the two sides at the 48th Session, including: Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the period 2026-2030; Agreement on the 2026 Cooperation Plan between the two Governments; and other agreements reached by the two sides, as well as the contents agreed upon by the two Prime Ministers. This thorough grasp needs to clarify all agreements, especially the new ideas proposed by the two Parties and General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, as well as the contents discussed and agreed upon by the two Prime Ministers.

Specifically, it is necessary to improve the effectiveness of political relations, ensure that political relations are truly solid and play a guiding role for the overall defense and security relations, thereby creating new and more firmly consolidated developments, ensuring a peaceful and stable environment for the country's development; at the same time, it is necessary to create breakthroughs in economic cooperation; expand and improve the effectiveness of cooperation in culture, education and training.

A very important idea that needs to be thoroughly understood is to create a breakthrough in economic and investment cooperation, with a focus on strengthening economic linkages. Strengthening this linkage aims to raise the strategic level, create strategic cohesion, development goals and vision in the construction process; at the same time, promote linkages in infrastructure, energy, transportation, etc. At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also emphasized that innovative thinking is an extremely important resource.

The second is to renew the existing cooperation contents, while expanding to new fields, demonstrating the spirit of "strategic cohesion"; promoting the potential and strengths of each country, especially increasing the participation not only of the State but also of the business community in all fields.

Third is to improve the effectiveness of coordination mechanisms. As Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh mentioned and agreed by the Lao Prime Minister, the two sides can hold regular meetings every three months. The two Ministers who co-chair the Bilateral Cooperation Committee will also meet every three months to review and assess the situation.

Fourth, the two sides discussed and agreed on key projects. In the next five years, the Party and State of Vietnam have decided to increase the level of non-refundable aid for the Lao People's Democratic Republic by 2.5 times with the common spirit of focusing on key projects, not spreading out, ensuring practical effectiveness.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the Vietnam - Laos Investment Promotion Conference 2025. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

To do so, there must be a very specific plan for implementation, and with that spirit, the cooperation between the two parties and two countries will create new resources for the entire development process and to ensure national defense and security as well as in the international integration process of each party and each country.

To do this, the two sides need a very specific implementation plan. With that spirit, the cooperation between the two Parties and the two States will create new resources for the entire development process, while ensuring national defense and security and promoting the international integration process of each country.

Thank you very much, Minister!

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/viet-nam-lao-tang-cuong-gan-ket-chien-luoc-mo-ra-dong-luc-hop-tac-moi-20251204085803191.htm