An overview of the 40th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Themedia in Laos on February 6 ran a series of articles highlighting the successof the 40th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee,underlining that the results will make significant contributions to thepromotion of the bilateral special friendship and comprehensive partnership.
Major newspapers of Laos,including “Pathet Lao” (the nation of Laos), “Pasaxon” (People), “Laophatthana”(Laos development), Setthakit Kankha (economy-trade), and Vientiane Times,noted that at the meeting, co-chaired by Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and hisLao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith, the two sides lauded the cooperationoutcomes between the two countries in 2017.
The papers mentioned thesuccess of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017,and the 13.6 percent growth of two-way trade, higher than the target of 10percent.
In 2017, the two countries realized bilateralagreements efficiently, the leaders noted in the meeting, adding thataffiliation in politics, external relations, defence, security, economy,culture, society, and people-to-people exchange was also expanded. Currently,Vietnam is hosting over 14,000 Lao students.
Vietnam is currently the third largest foreigninvestor in Laos with 411 projects worth about 3.7 billion USD in Laos, 43percent of which, or 1.6 billion USD, have been disbursed.
Along with detailing the discussion content of the meeting,the articles specified 12 cooperation deals signed during the event.
Pathet Lao, run by the Laos news agency, underscored that thedeal between the Vietnamese and Lao governments on investment cooperation todevelop Vung Ang port is the most important agreement as it allows Laos, a landlockedcountry, to access sea trade routes. It commented that the deals will helpstrengthen and expand partnership between the two countries.
The newspaper also quoted the Lao PM as saying that at thejoint press conference with PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc following the meeting he highlyvalues the outcomes of Vietnamese projects in Laos and pledged to createoptimal conditions for the Vietnamese investors.
Along with the printed newspapers, many other media agenciessuch as the national television and radio also gave much space reporting theresults of the 40th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-GovernmentalCommittee.-VNA
VNA
