Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh. Photo: VGP

The consensus was reached during the talks held in Hanoi on January 8 between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh who is in Hanoi for an official visit to Vietnam, VOV reported.

They shared the view that, despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, bilateral cooperation has been developing in an effective and substantial manner.

The two sides have maintained contact and delegation exchanges through all channels and regularly deployed bilateral cooperation mechanisms in various forms. Co-operation in defense, security, and diplomacy, as well as coordination at regional and international forums, has been strengthened. Co-operation between various ministries, sectors, and localities has also been increasingly promoted.

It’s noteworthy that their two-way trade turnover reached US$1.3 billion in 2021, representing an annual rise of more than 30%. In addition, Vietnamese investments in Laos also rose by 27% from the previous year to US$112 million.

The two sides agreed to maintain reciprocal visits and contact in flexible and effective forms, realize the agreements of their top leaders and competently organize activities in 2022 to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations and 45 years of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

During the talks between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh. Photo: VGP

They will co-ordinate effectively in implementing protocols and co-operation plans on security and defence, jointly combat transnational crimes, drug-related crimes, and illegal exploitation of natural resources, support each other in maintaining stability, security, and society, and make a greater effort to search, collect, and repatriate the remains of Vietnamese martyrs who died in Laos.

Chinh and Viphavanh agreed to step up the connectivity between the two economies, including hard and soft infrastructure for road, railway, aviation, and seaport projects. The Vietnamese side vowed to help landlocked Laos successfully fulfill its goal of becoming a logistics hub in the region to connect to the sea.

In terms of economic cooperation, the two leaders agreed to resolve difficulties and problems, propose new mechanisms and policies suitable to the nature of bilateral ties, create a stable and transparent legal framework, and constitute a favorable business environment in which to promote further trade and investment.

Both sides consented to increase bilateral co-operation in education training, culture, sports, and tourism, as well as in the fields of clean agriculture, e-commerce, digital transformation, and innovation.

Exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, both PMs said the two countries will continue to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially ASEAN, the UN, and Greater Mekong Sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

During the talks, PM Viphavanh cordially invited PM Chinh to pay an official visit to Laos at an appropriate time. The invitation was then accepted with pleasure.

After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing and exchanging of eight co-operation documents in the fields of security, border, economy, banking, education, health care, and electricity generation.

Following their talks, the two PMs held a press conference and launched the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year.

Lao PM Phankham Viphavanh meets other top leaders

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) meets with Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh in Hanoi on January 8. Photo: VNA

Also on January 8, Lao PM Phankham Viphavanh was received by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, VietnamPlus reported.

At the meeting with Party General Secretary Trong, Lao PM Phankham Viphavanh appreciated Vietnam’s enormous, timely, and effective support and assistance for his country throughout history, including the aid in the Covid-19 fight.

The Lao Party, State, and people will do their utmost to maintain and nurture the special Laos - Vietnam relations, he affirmed.

Party General Secretary Trong noted that Vietnam always attaches importance and the top priority to enhancing the two countries’ special relations. It also consistently and strongly supports the reforms and development of Laos.

Applauding the mutual assistance in the pandemic combat, he emphasized the importance of the unceasing reinforcement of bilateral relations to each country’s stability and development, as well as to peace and cooperation in the region and the world at large.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) hosts visiting Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh in Hanoi on January 8. Photo: VNA

Meanwhile, Lao PM Phankham Viphavanh and President Phuc agreed that Vietnam and Laos must work together to solve problems and challenges their businesses are facing to boost investors’ confidence; accelerate economic links between the two nations; and make the most of free trade agreements to which they are signatories.

They also wanted the two countries to expand connections in both hard and soft infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and digital economy.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh pose for a photo before their meeting in Hanoi on January 8. Photo: VNA

At the meeting with NA Chairman Hue, both leaders shared the view that the two parliaments need to keep coordination to monitor and facilitate the effective implementation of their countries’ agreements, while further increasing consultation and sharing experience in legislative affairs so as to help fuel post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and development.

The two sides also agreed to continue close coordination and mutual support in their parliaments’ activities, particularly at regional and international parliamentary forums.

Lao PM Phankham Viphavanh arrived in Hanoi on January 8, beginning a three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of PM Pham Minh Chinh.

This is Viphavanh’s first visit to Vietnam in his capacity as Prime Minister of Laos./.

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