Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holds talks with Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh

At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, this morning (January 8), a high-ranking delegation of the Lao PDR led by Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh paid an official visit to Vietnam from January 8-10, 2022. This is the first visit by a high-ranking foreign leader to Vietnam in 2022. Immediately after the official welcoming ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh.

Taking place in the context of the two countries celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, this is Mr. Phankham Viphavanh's first visit to Vietnam as Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Over the past six decades, the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos have continued to be firmly consolidated and deepened in all areas. Political trust and cohesion have been strengthened. In the context of the complicated developments of the pandemic, the two countries have maintained visits and contacts in many flexible forms.

Defense, security and foreign affairs cooperation has been maintained and developed effectively. Economic, cultural, educational, scientific and technological cooperation has seen positive developments. Two-way trade turnover in the first 11 months of 2021 reached 1.2 billion USD, up 33.6% over the same period in 2020. The two sides also cooperated closely and actively supported each other in preventing and fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the ongoing talks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh agreed that the two countries need to continue to strengthen cooperation and support each other in the spirit of comradeship and brotherhood to ensure independence and self-reliance, especially economic self-reliance. The two sides need to support each other in deep international integration and strengthen coordination in mobilizing resources from international partners to serve the development of each country.

Talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is always ready to support Laos to the maximum extent possible to help Laos overcome difficulties. The Prime Minister respectfully announced that the Party, State and people of Vietnam have donated 1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to the Lao Party, State and people.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that the two sides accelerate hard connections to and with ASEAN and GMS countries, especially the Hanoi - Vientiane expressway, affirming that Vietnam will continue to create conditions for Laos to use Vietnam's seaports, especially Vung Ang Port, helping Laos connect to the sea and become a regional logistics center.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also suggested that the two sides review and overcome inadequate mechanisms and policies, create a stable and transparent legal corridor and a favorable business environment for businesses of both sides, and promptly review and find solutions to completely resolve difficulties and obstacles, especially for key projects.