New momentum for Vietnam-Laos friendship

At the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Thonglun Sisoulith and a high-ranking delegation of the Lao Government paid an official friendship visit to Vietnam from May 15-17.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Lao Prime Minister. Photo: VOV

On the morning of May 15, at the Government Office, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc solemnly welcomed and held talks with Prime Minister Thonglun Sisoulith.

At the talks, on behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized that the Lao Prime Minister's choice of Vietnam as the country for an official visit right after the two countries successfully organized the Party Congress and the National Assembly elected a new Leadership Board demonstrated the Lao Government's respect for the Laos-Vietnam friendship and cooperation; he assessed that the trip created a new driving force contributing to promoting and further deepening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The Lao Prime Minister also expressed his joy at the great achievements that the Vietnamese people have gained in the cause of national construction and development and international integration; considering them a common victory and a source of great encouragement for the Lao revolutionary cause.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the special relationship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, which has been constantly consolidated and developed, becoming increasingly close and trustworthy; and achieving many important goals in recent times. The two sides affirmed that they will closely coordinate to effectively implement the agreements of the two countries' senior leaders on strengthening political, diplomatic, security, and defense relations as well as cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, and investment.

Notably, the direction of effective implementation of the Cooperation Plan between the two Governments in 2016 and the Vietnam-Laos Bilateral Cooperation Agreement for the period 2016-2020; continuing to perfect the Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation to achieve the highest efficiency for this mechanism.

In other areas, the two sides agreed to continue improving the quality of cooperation in training and human resource development; coordinate to organize well the "Vietnam Cultural Week in Laos in 2016", promote the implementation of the Vietnam Cultural Center Project in Laos and President Ho Chi Minh Park in Vientiane; do better in propaganda and education about the traditional Vietnam - Laos relationship; organize well the activities to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty in 2017.

The two sides expressed satisfaction and agreed to continue to closely coordinate and strengthen cooperation at regional and international forums, including the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle (CLV), Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Cooperation (CLMV), Chao Phraya-Ayeyawady-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), Asia-Europe Cooperation (ASEM) and at the United Nations. The Lao side agreed to continue to coordinate and support Vietnam to organize the ACMECS 7 and CLMV 8 Summits in Vietnam in October 2016.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highly appreciated Laos' effective cooperation and coordination in its role as ASEAN Chair; affirmed that Vietnam will continue to cooperate closely to support Laos in successfully assuming the role of ASEAN Chair in 2016; requested Laos to continue to coordinate closely to ensure solidarity and maintain ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea issue; contribute to maintaining peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety; fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also highly appreciated and thanked Laos for increasing water discharge from hydropower dams on the Mekong River tributaries, as well as for supporting and assisting Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of prolonged drought and saltwater intrusion in the southern provinces of Vietnam.

The two sides agreed to continue to closely coordinate with each other and with other countries and international organizations in managing and sustainably and effectively using the Mekong River's water resources.

After the talks, the Prime Ministers of the two countries witnessed the signing of a number of documents between the Ministries, branches and localities of Vietnam and Laos: The 2016 Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Planning and Investment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Planning and Investment of the Lao PDR; The Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao PDR on the implementation of the Agricultural Production Zoning Project in the two provinces of Huaphan and Xiengkhouang, Lao PDR; The Agreement between Dien Bien province, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Phongsaly province, the Lao PDR on the implementation of the Bun-nua District High School, Phongsaly province, funded by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The two Prime Ministers also witnessed the Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (Vietinbank) supporting the Government of the Lao PDR with 200,000 USD to develop social security work.

On the evening of May 15, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held a solemn reception to welcome Prime Minister Thonglun Sisoulith and the high-ranking delegation of the Government of the Lao PDR.

According to daidoanket.vn