PM Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone before talks (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The official visit to Laos by PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh is a success, contributing to realisingdiplomatic policy set by the 13th National Party Congress whichadvocates valuing the development of ties with neighbouring and ASEANcountries, with the top priority given to Laos, said Minister of ForeignAffairs Bui Thanh Son.
Speaking with the press,Minister Son said the January 11-12 visit at the invitation of Lao PM SonexaySiphandone was the first made by the Vietnamese PM, wrapping up theVietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.
PM Chinh was also the firstforeign leader to visit Laos in 2023 and the first foreign partner welcomed bythe Lao PM since he took office.
The Vietnam-Laos Inter-GovernmentalCommittee’s 45th meeting, co-chaired by the two PMs, was also thefirst to return to Laos after four years of being held in Vietnam.
With a busy schedule ofnearly 20 activities in about 30 hours, Son said PM Chinh had held talks withhis Lao counterpart, paid courtesy calls to the Lao Party General Secretary and State President, met the President of National Assembly, received Chairman of theCentral Committee of Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, visited formerleaders of the Lao Party and State, co-chaired the 45th meeting ofthe Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, attended and delivered a speechat the Vietnam-Laos investment conference.
Both sides signed 10cooperation documents to further boost ties across economic diplomacy, digital partnership,judicial assistance in civil affairs, education-training, finance-banking,health care, waterway transport and training of diplomatic officials.
Son said the visit has broughtabout comprehensive, substantial and specific results. A highlight of which wasthe closing ceremony of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity andFriendship Year 2022 co-chaired by the two PMs. It was an important event toreview a successful year of bilateral special relationship.
Apart from political,defence and economic ties, both sides also agreed to keep improving the qualityof cooperation in education-training, justice, sci-tech, culture, tourism,people-to-people and locality-to-locality cooperation, particularly borderprovinces.
During the 45th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, they vowed tocontinue upholding the effectiveness of joint projects last year, fixingobstacles and accelerating key projects.
The two sides also affirmeddetermination to work closely together and offer mutual support at regional andglobal multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, ASEAN andsub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
The two Government leaders pledgedto maintain ASEAN’s solidarity and central role, as well as ASEAN’s commonstance on strategic issues, including the East Sea issue.
The Vietnamese PM expressedreadiness to help Laos successfully take over international tasks in the nearfuture such as ASEAN/AIPA chairmanship in 2024.
Son concluded that with theabove achievements, the visit has generated a new impetus for Vietnam-Laosspecial cooperative ties for the benefit of the two nations and for peace, stabilityand development in the region./.
