Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception on August14 for his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith, who is visiting Vietnam for thenational mourning of former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu.
Sisoutlithoffered his condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State, National Assembly, andFatherland Front on the death of the former leader.
He spokehighly of Phieu’s contributions to Vietnam’s struggle for national independence,construction, defence and development, to Laos’ revolutionary cause, and to thetwo countries’ special friendship, solidarity, and comprehensive partnership.
The Laoleader said the former leader’s death is a great loss for the Vietnamese Party,State, and people, while the Party, State, and people of Laos have lost acomrade and a very close friend.
On behalfof the Vietnamese Government and people, Phuc thanked Lao leaders and peoplefor their affection for the late leader, which demonstrates the specialbrotherhood between the two nations.
The twoPMs took the occasion to exchange views on the socio-economic situation in bothcountries and to review the implementation of agreements reached and the outcomesof the 42nd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee. They alsolooked into major joint projects, including the construction of Laos’ newparliamentary building and friendship hospitals.
Theydiscussed ways to further boost bilateral ties in the time to come and futurestrategies for the next five years and towards 2030.
Sisoulithexpressed his gratitude for Vietnam’s support for the fight against COVID-19 inLaos.
Bothleaders agreed to continue closely coordinating in combating the pandemic,particularly along border areas, and to develop plans to resume flights betweenthe two countries and reopen border gates when the coronavirus is brought undercontrol.
Theyagreed to accelerate information and experience exchanges for the successfulorganisation of their national Party Congresses in 2021 and will step upcooperation in the fields of politics, defence, security, economics, trade,investment, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges./.
VNA
