Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh (L) and Lao Vice President Phankham Viphavan (Source: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Vice President Phankham Viphavan hailed the fruitful relations between the two Parties, States, Governments and peoples of Vietnam and Laos.
During their July 22 receptions for Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, who is in Laos to attend the 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-49) and related meetings, the host leaders expressed thanks for Vietnam’s continuous support for Laos’s 2016 ASEAN Chairmanship.
They also called for active and effective implementation of the agreements reached during the visits of the respective senior leaders to each other’s countries, and the 38th meeting of the Inter-Government Committee on Vietnam – Laos bilateral cooperation.
For his part, Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh, who is also Foreign Minister, briefed the hosts on the socio-economic development of Vietnam, particularly the progress of the first session of the 14th NA.
Vietnam’s ministries and localities have actively implemented the agreements reached during the two nations’ high-level contacts, including the visits to Vietnam made by Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith in May and Vice President Phankham Viphavan in July, the Deputy PM said.
Vietnam’s leaders highly valued the recent visits which marked the first overseas trips of the Lao PM and Vice President since they took office, Minh said, adding that it reflected the special significance of the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship.
In the spirit of the meeting between Vietnam’s PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoutlith on the sidelines of the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Mongolia, Vietnam will work together with Laos, as the ASEAN chair, and other ASEAN nations to consolidate regional solidarity, promote the building of the ASEAN Community and forge the central role of the bloc in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, the Vietnamese diplomat affirmed.
The two nations are actively preparing for the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Vietnam – Laos diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam – Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 2017, Minh said.
They have also enhanced the cooperative ties at multilateral forums, particularly in the framework of ASEAN cooperation, as well as at regional and international forums, Minh reiterated.-VNA
