Developing Vietnam-Laos economic cooperation commensurate with the special political relationship

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly welcomed Comrade Bounthong Chitmany on his official visit to Vietnam. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

At the reception, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly welcomed Comrade Bounthong Chitmany to his official visit to Vietnam; congratulated the great, comprehensive, and historic achievements that the Lao Party, State, and people have achieved after more than 35 years of renovation; believed that under the wise leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Lao people will overcome all challenges, successfully implement the resolution of the 11th National Party Congress and the 9th Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan, successfully build an independent, self-reliant Laos, deeply and effectively integrate into the international community, and firmly step on the path of prosperous development.

Comrade Bounthong Chitmany respectfully conveyed the regards of Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and senior Lao leaders to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; at the same time, congratulated Vietnam on the important achievements in all aspects in recent times; believed that under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the effective management of the Government headed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the Vietnamese people will continue to gain many new and greater achievements in the renovation process, successfully implementing the goals set by the 13th National Party Congress.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that Vietnam and Laos continue to maintain regular visits and contacts at high and all levels. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany expressed their delight at the positive developments in all areas of Vietnam-Laos relations in recent times. In particular, senior leaders of the two countries have maintained regular contact and exchanges, helping to strengthen close and trustworthy relations, promptly removing difficulties and obstacles in implementing cooperation tasks between the two countries. Notably, two-way trade turnover in the first 6 months of 2022 reached 824 million USD, up 20.6% over the same period in 2021; Vietnam's investment in Laos is increasing again in a sustainable direction, reaching 64.5 million USD in the first 5 months of 2022, bringing the total realized capital to about 2.6 billion USD.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany agreed to promote agencies and localities to implement committed agreements and important cooperation projects between the two countries to celebrate the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

To deepen and further enhance the effectiveness of cooperation between the two countries in the coming time, the Prime Minister suggested that the two sides continue to maintain regular visits and contacts at high and all levels; effectively implement the agreements reached at the 44th Session of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee; continue to coordinate to find solutions to develop economic cooperation commensurate with the special political relationship between the two countries; cooperate to build an independent, self-reliant economy with deep international integration; quickly remove obstacles for businesses, create a stable and transparent legal corridor, a favorable business environment, and create confidence for investors; promote cooperation in other important areas such as defense, security, border, education - training, science and technology, culture, sports, tourism, cooperation between localities and people-to-people exchange; continue to closely coordinate and support each other at international and regional forums; strengthen mutual support to maintain independence and autonomy, while actively contributing to maintaining solidarity and the central role of ASEAN.

The two sides agreed to promote agencies and localities to implement committed agreements and coordinate to promote the implementation of important cooperation projects between the two countries to celebrate.Vietnam - Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year2022.

Comrade Bounthong Chitmany emphasized that the two countries' coordination in organizing activities to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation also contributed to helping the international community better understand the special "unique" relationship between the two peoples of Vietnam and Laos.

Through comrade Bounthong Chitmany, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh respectfully conveyed his warm regards to Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and other leaders of the Lao Party and State. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

On this occasion, through comrade Bounthong Chitmany, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh respectfully conveyed his warm regards to Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and other leaders of the Lao Party and State./.