At the talks (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his visiting Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith reaffirmed the importance of the relation of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos during their talks in Hanoi on October 1.
The talks took place following the official welcome ceremony in the afternoon the same day.
Both sides agreed to facilitate all-level visits via the Party, State, Government and National Assembly channels, enhance the sharing of experience in socio-economic development in each country, effectively realise the outcomes of the 41st meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, and encourage the two countries’ ministries, agencies and localities to expand ties.
They vowed to continue implementing border treaties and agreements, promptly preventing border violations, fighting trans-border crimes and stepping up the signing of agreements on national defence and security.
A conference reviewing the effectiveness of the one-stop shop model at Lao Bao – Densavan international border gates, and a conference reviewing the implementation of the 2019 agreement on the settlement of irregular migration and undocumented marriages in border areas will also be held.
The two countries will continue working to raise two-way trade by 10 – 15 percent annually, effectively implement trade agreements, soon sign a memorandum of understanding on border trade infrastructure development and connectivity, and popularise tax and trade incentives.
The two leaders pledged to take effective measures to ensure the progress and quality of Vietnamese projects in Laos, and hold more exchanges between leaders of the Lao government and the Vietnamese business community in Laos.
The two PMs highlighted the importance of education – training cooperation and high-quality human resources development, adding the history of Vietnam – Laos special ties into curricula in the two countries’ schools, increasing cultural and people-to-people exchanges and well implementing the labour cooperation agreement.
The Lao PM committed to simplifying procedures and reducing costs related to the grant of permits to Vietnamese workers.
The two leaders took the occasion to share various common assessments of the regional and international situation, as well as the coordination between the two countries in the time to come, including Vietnam’s shouldering the role of the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.
On regional and global issues of shared concern, they affirmed the significance of maintaining peace, stability, law abidance, maritime and aviation safety and freedom, the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
They reaffirmed the ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea issue mentioned in the bloc’s recent declarations, especially the joint communiqué at the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bangkok in July, according to which the parties consented to strengthen mutual trust, exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that could further complicate the situation, refrain from the use of force or threat to use force, prevent militarisation, fully and seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards soon reaching a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
The two sides pledged to continue working with member states to step up prosperity, solidarity and self-resilience of the ASEAN Community, uphold ASEAN’s central role in regional architecture towards a region of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity based on rules.
Following the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of eight cooperation agreements in the fields of economy, investment, education, finance, banking, energy and aviation.
The two sides issued a joint declaration on the strengthening of Vietnam – Laos relations of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in the new situation.
The Lao leader will stay in Vietnam till October 3./.
VNA
