Top Lao leader wraps up visit to Vietnam with fruitful results

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Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse. Photo VNA

During the talks between Thongloun Sisoulith and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong on June 28, the leaders accentuated the strategic significance of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, which, they said, are an invaluable asset shared by the two nations, and a factor guaranteeing their existence and development.

They consented to work together to step up the Vietnam-Laos comprehensive cooperation on the basis of promoting the spirit of independence, self-reliance, equal and win-win cooperation and giving priority and incentives to each other, and supporting and creating favourable conditions for mutual development, for the prosperity of each country, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and in the world at large, according to VOV.

Following the bilateral meetings, Lao Secretary General Thongloun Sisoulith and Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong witnessed the signing of agreements on bilateral cooperation. Lao Secretary General Thongloun Sisoulith and Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong witness the signing of important documents. Photo VNA These were an agreement on Laos-Vietnam bilateral cooperation strategy 2021-2030, agreement on bilateral cooperation 2021-2025, cooperation agreement between the LPRP Central Committee Office and CPV Central Committee Office for 2021-2025, and a cooperation agreement between the Lao Front for National Development’s Central Committee and CPV Central Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Commission for 2021-2025. Also signed was a cooperation agreement between the Ministries of Planning and Investment for 2021-2023, cooperation record on culture, arts and tourism between Laos’ Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for 2021-2025, a record on the cooperation plan on information between the Lao ministry and Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communication, and agreements on economic cooperation between Lao and Vietnamese business enterprises.

During the talks with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on June 29, the Lao leader said he was pleased to learn of the achievements that the Vietnamese people had made with regards to nation building and development and international integration, considering it a “mutual victory” and a great source of encouragement for the revolutionary cause in Laos. The two leaders highly appreciated each country’s efforts as well as bilateral cooperation and mutual support in COVID-19 response, affirmed that under any circumstances, Vietnam and Laos would always promote the long-standing tradition of sharing.

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith (left) holds talks with his Vietnamese counterpart on June 29. Photo Government Portal

During the visit, Sisoulith also met former Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and former President Tran Duc Luong, held working sessions with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

He received delegations from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association and the Liaison Committee for former Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers and Military Experts in Laos.

The Vietnam-Laos joint statement signed on June 29 stated that during this visit, the two sides informed each other about the situation of each Party and each country. They exchanged and agreed on guidelines and measures to continue developing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in an extensive, effective and substantive manner. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The two sides sincerely thanked each other for the great and valuable support and assistance they have given each other during the past struggle for national liberation and unification, as well as in the reform, national construction, development and defense today.

The two sides have closely coordinated in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic and promoted cooperation and support to each other to overcome difficulties for socio-economic development.

They continue to well implement the agreements on immigrants, consular affairs and labour between the two countries, create favorable conditions for Vietnamese in Laos and Lao in Vietnam to live, work and study in accordance with each country's law and international practices.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Lao Party General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith toast the solidarity and friendship between the the two countries. Photo VNA

They reached consensus on enhancing timely information exchange, close consultation, coordination, and effective mutual support at international and regional forums, strengthen coordination with Cambodia to effectively implement the Agreement between the three Prime Ministers on the Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam Development Triangle (CLV), and actively implement the Action Plan to connect the three economies of Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam by 2030, according to the joint statement.

The two countries vowed to continue to strengthen cooperation and close coordination with each other, and with relevant countries and international organizations to manage, develop, and use effectively and sustainably the Mekong River's water resource and related resources to harmonize the interests of countries in the Mekong River Basin.

They agreed to work closely together within the framework of the Mekong River Commission and other relevant cooperation mechanisms, and promote the integration of sub-regional cooperation mechanisms into the process of building the ASEAN Community as well as encourage ASEAN countries and partners outside the region to actively participate in support and investment in the Mekong sub-region.

The two sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, and of settling disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). They pledged to work with relevant parties to promote the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon achieve an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international laws, including UNCLOS 1982. They also reaffirmed their high consensus with ASEAN's basic positions on the East Sea as stated in the ASEAN Declaration.

Polibutor member and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh (right) bids farewell to Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse at Noi Bai Airport on June 29. Photo VNA

Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse left Hanoi on June 29, wrapping up the official friendly visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and their spouses./.

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