Vietnam, Laos Hold 8th Political Consultation to Show Elation At Friendship Development

Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith pays an official visit to Vietnam on December 28-29. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith co-chaired the 8th ministerial-level political consultation in Hanoi on December 28, according to VNA.

The two diplomats showed their elation at the development of great friendship, special solidarity, and all-around cooperation across a variety of fields between the two countries.

Notably, political trust between the two Parties and countries has been consolidated through a host of meetings and all-level delegation exchange, especially the Lao visit by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc in August 2021 and the Vietnam visit by President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane in December 2021.

In the first 11 months of this year, two-way trade surpassed 1.2 billion USD, up 33.6 percent annually. The two sides kept improving the efficiency of cooperation in education, training, and human resource development and raised the young generation's awareness of the bilateral special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

The two ministers agreed to work closely with ministries and agencies to effectively realize signed cooperation agreements, results of high-level visits, and hold celebrations for the Year of Vietnam – Laos, Laos – Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity 2022.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith co-chair the 8th ministerial-level political consultation in Hanoi on December 28. (Photo: VOV)

They spoke highly of cooperation between the two foreign ministries in line with their 2021-2025 cooperation agreement as well as annual cooperation mechanisms and other exchanges between their subordinate units.

Host and guest underlined the compliance with international law and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s central role in regional architectures. They pledged to boost closer coordination at regional and international forums, including maintaining ASEAN’s common stance on the South China Sea issue, actively and proactively sharing information and stances via all channels as a way of raising each country’s international position, according to VOV.

Xaysomphone affirmed his country’s support for Vietnam’s bid to run for a seat at the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure. Laos will continue working closely with Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms such as the Cambodia – Laos – Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV), the Cambodia – Laos – Myanmar – Vietnam Cooperation (CLMV), and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), he added.

On December 29, the two ministers will co-chair a conference reviewing the “one-stop-shop” inspection model at Lao Bao – Densavan international border gate.

The Lao minister will also co-chair the 31st meeting of Vietnam – Laos border delegations together with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Boundary Commission Nguyen Minh Vu.

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