Vietnam ready to assist Laos in fight against COVID-19: PM

PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and President of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam always stands side by side and stays ready to help Laos, within its ability, to push back the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told President of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane during their meeting in Hanoi on December 6.

Both leaders said they were delighted to see that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries have been increasingly strengthened in all areas, from politics, diplomacy, national defence-security, to economy, trade, investment, socio-culture, and education-training.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, two-way trade still surpassed 1 billion USD in the first ten months of 2021, up over 30.1 percent from the same period last year. Vietnam was the third biggest foreign investor in Laos, with 209 projects worth 5.18 billion USD.

Saysomphone expressed his profound thanks to the Vietnamese Party, State and people for providing timely and invaluable support to Laos in the fight against the pandemic.

Both leaders agreed to effectively carry out high-level agreements and prepare for the upcoming 44th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, continue working closely together to fight COVID-19, strengthen national defence-security collaboration, step up economic, trade and investment ties  as well as accelerating infrastructure projects such as Hanoi – Vientiane expressway and Vung Ang 1, 2, 3 seaports.

They pledged to continue effectively implementing signed education projects; jointly hold activities to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam – Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2022; support each other at multilateral forums, especially in issues regarding each country’s security and development, as well as peace, stability and cooperation in the region, including the sustainable use and management of water sources in Mekong River, and the East Sea issue./.