Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held phone talks with hisLao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on November 10 to discuss bilateral tiesand regional cooperation ahead of the 37th ASEAN Summit.
PM Thongloun once again conveyed Lao Party, State and Government leaders' and people’ssympathies to their Vietnamese counterparts over great losses caused by recent floods in the centralregion. He wished that Vietnam would overcome the consequences soon and affected people would stabilise their lives.
Hecongratulated Vietnam on its outstanding achievements in effectively copingwith the COVID-19 pandemic, restoring socio-economic development and successfullyundertaking the role of ASEAN Chair 2020, thus improving its stature in theregion and the world.
PMPhuc lauded the Lao Government for realising the Party’s resolutions and Statepolicies and successfully holding important meetings in the Greater MekongSub-region, thus making active contributions to sub-regional connectivity.
The two leaders affirmed that they will give top priority to the great relations, special friendship andcomprehensive cooperation between the two nations. They spoke highly ofbilateral coordination in key areas such as politics, security, nationaldefence, economy, trade, investment, culture, information andeducation-training.
AsVietnam and Laos have basically controlled the COVID-19 pandemic, the PMs highlighted the need to further facilitate the flows of cargo and passengers between thetwo nations, therefore soon reaching consensus on plans to reopen mainland border gates andresume commercial flights while effectively carrying out key cooperationprojects.
The leaders pledged to continue jointly preparing for important activities, including the43rd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee andthe seventh foreign ministerial consultation, as well as holding activitiesmarking the 45th anniversary of Laos' National Day and the 100th birth anniversary of Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane.
Thetwo PMs hailed close collaboration and mutual support at regional and globalforums, especially within the framework of ASEAN and sub-regional cooperationmechanisms.
TheLao PM spoke highly of Vietnam’s successes in its role as a non-permanent member of theUnited Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and ASEAN Chair 2020,contributing to the building of a united, resilient and prosperous ASEAN Community.
He also vowed to continue cooperating with and supporting Vietnam in successfully holding the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings.
The two leadersshared the importance of continuing to strengthen ASEAN solidarity andconsensus in the East Sea issue, coordinating in negotiations to finalise an effective andpractical Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea in line with international law,including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),contributing to the maintenance of a peaceful and stable environment in the region./.
