Vietnam - Laos strengthen local cooperation

On July 4, a delegation from the Lao Embassy in Vietnam led by Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh visited and worked in Nghe An province. The two sides affirmed that they will continue to strengthen cooperation between localities, promote strategic connection projects between the two countries, in which Nghe An plays an important role as a bridge.

According to Nghe An Province's Electronic Information Portal, at a meeting with Nghe An Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Trung, Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh highly appreciated the friendly cooperation between Vietnam and Laos as well as between Nghe An and Lao provinces. She expressed her joy at the socio -economic development achievements of Vietnam in general and Nghe An province in particular.

Nghe An Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Trung warmly received Ms. Khamphao Ernthavanh - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Vietnam and the Embassy's delegation. (Photo: Kim Oanh/nghean.gov.vn)

The Ambassador thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam, including the Party Committee, government and people of Nghe An province, for always accompanying and supporting Laos both materially and spiritually. She said she would continue to be a bridge to promote the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, especially between Nghe An province and localities of Laos.

Nghe An Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Trung said that the special relationship between the two Parties, two States and peoples of the two countries is the foundation for Nghe An to identify cooperation with Lao provinces as an important political task. The province always synchronously implements all three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and People's diplomacy.

In recent times, Nghe An and Lao localities have regularly organized visits, exchanges, and signed cooperation agreements on Party building, state management apparatus building, organization and operation of the People's Council, the Fatherland Front and mass organizations. The province has also proactively coordinated to upgrade border gate infrastructure and promote border trade.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Trung added that the Vinh - Thanh Thuy expressway project, part of the route connecting Hanoi - Vientiane, will soon be implemented. This route has strategic significance in promoting economic and transport connections between Vietnam, Laos and countries in the region, contributing to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

He appreciated the support of the Ambassador and the Lao Embassy in Vietnam in strengthening cooperation between Nghe An and Lao localities, considering this a source of motivation to continue promoting the special tradition of solidarity between the two countries.

Nghe An is the locality with the longest border with Laos in the country with 468.2km, bordering 3 provinces: Xiangkhouang, Houaphan and Borikhamxay. To date, Nghe An has established cooperative relations with 07 provinces of Laos including Xiangkhouang, Houaphan, Borikhamxay, Xaisomboun, Khammouan, Savannakhet, Vientiane and the capital Vientiane.

Currently, there are about 20 Nghe An enterprises investing in Laos with a total capital of more than 86 million USD. Since 2018, Nghe An has received nearly 1,600 Lao students and officials to study.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/viet-nam-lao-tang-cuong-hop-tac-dia-phuong-214642.html