Illustrative image (Source: Internet) LaoPrime Minister Thoonglun Sisoulith led a delegation to Vietnam to attend the event, which also aims to increase political trust and direct theimplementation of high-level agreements to boost Vietnam – Laos ties.
Themeeting, which will be co-chaired by Thoonglun Sisoulith and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc, will scrutinize theimplementation of high-raking agreements and how to promote cooperation betweenthe two countries.
Vietnam-Laos relations have been strengthened with regular delegation exchangesand meetings at all levels. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made anofficial visit to Laos in November, 2016.
The implementation of the agreement on the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Plan in2016 signed between the two governments reached set targets, while political tieshave been boosted.
Vietnamsupported Laos in undertaking the chairmanship of ASEAN and holding the ASEANSummit last year.
The two sides coordinated in ensuring security and defence, building ashared-border and in fighting against enemy forces and transnational crime.
Trade and investment links between the two countries also saw progress.
Vietnamese enterprises have registered to invest 5.1 billion USD in Laos,ranking third among foreign investors in the country. Vietnam’s investmentprojects have proven effective, contributing to the two nations’ socio-economicdevelopment and helping Laos tackle poverty.
Two-waytrade between the two countries in 2016 hit 801 million USD.
Trade promotion activities were intensified through trade fairs andconferences. The two sides also implemented trade agreements, making it easierfor the two countries’ enterprises to boost trade links.
Additionally, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperationin transport in 2015-2025 with a vision to 2030, focusing on completing a studyfor a project to build a Hanoi-Vientiane highway, and accelerating the implementationof transport projects within bilateral cooperation and in the Mekong sub-region.
About 100,200 Lao tourists visited Vietnam in the first nine months of 2016,while the number of Vietnamese visitors to Laos reached 760,500 in the period,up 20 percent year-on-year.
Cooperation in health, especially between the two countries’ border localities,recorded effective links. Vietnam began construction of two hospitals in Houaphanand Xiangkhouang provinces worth about 20 million USD and 17.6 million USD,respectively.
Education and training affiliation between Vietnam and Laos has been alsoexpanded. At present, more than 14,000 Lao students study in Vietnam.
Through the exchange of visits and meeting, cooperation between ministries,sectors and localities of the two countries has been promoted. The two sidesalso paid attention to links in sci-technology, natural resources andenvironment, agriculture, telecommunications, labour, culture, museums andtourism.
Vietnam helped Laos develop agricultural and broadcasting projects inXiangkhouang and Udomsay through providing official developmentassistance.
The two nations closely cooperated at regional and international forums and coordinatedwith other ASEAN member nations in building the ASEAN Community.
Thisyear, the twosides will celebrate 40 years sincethe signing of the Vietnam – Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18,1997 – 2017) and the 55th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomaticties (September 5, 1962 – 2017).-VNA
VNA
