Vietnam treasures friendship, comprehensive cooperation with Laos: FM

Hanoi (VNA) – President Vo Van Thuong’s official visit to Laos on April 10 and 11 has contributed to creating a new impetus for cooperation between the two countries in 2023 across all key fields, from politics and diplomacy to security, economy, education and training, science and technology, culture, sports and tourism on the basis of the effective implementation of their high-level agreements, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has said.

Son made the statement while talking to the press on the outcomes of the trip, the first to a foreign country by the President since he took office. He considered the visit ‘special and meaningful in many aspects’, demonstrating Vietnam’s consistent policy of attaching importance and giving the highest priority to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos.

According to the minister, the visit lasted about 30 hours and covered 18 different activities, including talks and meetings with leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, Government and National Assembly of Laos.

He went on to specify five outstanding outcomes of the significant trip.

First, the two sides further affirmed their determination to constantly strengthen and develop the two countries’ special solidarity in general, as well as the closeness and trust at a high level between their top leaders in particular.

Second, the Vietnamese and Laotian leaders agreed on measures to continue effectively carrying out the high-level agreements of the two Parties and countries, contributing to creating a new impetus to promote the bilateral relations in the near future, especially in the fields of politics, national defence, economy, education, culture, sports, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.

On that basis, the two sides concurred to collaborate in the effective implementation of an agreement between the two Politburos, the Vietnam-Laos cooperation strategy for 2021-2030; and the Vietnam-Laos bilateral cooperation agreement for 2021-2025. As part of the trip, the two sides signed two important cooperation pacts in the field of science and technology.
         
Third, promoting the positive effects of the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, the two sides agreed to step up communications and education of their people, especially the young generations, on the historical tradition of their special and close relationship, so that they can clearly see the responsibility of working together to constantly cultivate and maintain such a unique, pure and faithful relationship.

Fourth, Vietnam and Laos committed to closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums, especially within the ASEAN framework; and working together to maintain solidarity and promote the ASEAN centrality.

President Thuong affirmed that Vietnam will actively support Laos to successfully undertake international responsibilities in the coming time, including the role of ASEAN Chair in 2024 and the organisation of the first National Assembly Summit between Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, expected to be held at the end of 2023.

Fifth, within the framework of the visit, the President met and talked with representatives of the Vietnamese community and businesses in Laos, promptly encouraging them to overcome difficulties, uphold the spirit of solidarity, make efforts to contribute to Laos's post-COVID-19 socio-economic recovery and development, and contribute to fostering the two nations’ friendship and solidarity.

The Lao leaders also agreed to continue to pay attention and devise mechanisms and policies to create favourable conditions for the stability and development of the Vietnamese community in Laos, Son added./.