Vietnam - Laos held a meeting of the Cooperation Committee of the two countries in Nghe An

On the morning of November 27, in Cua Lo town, Nghe An, the Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committee held a conference to review cooperation agreements in 2019 and discuss cooperation directions in 2020.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Mr. Nguyen Van Trung - Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Committee. The Lao delegation was led by Mr. Kham Phoi Keo Kin Naly - Deputy Minister, Vice Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committee. The conference was attended by Mr. Nguyen Ba Hung - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Laos; Major General Ha Tan Tien - Deputy Commander of Military Region 4. On the side of Nghe An province, there was the participation of Mr. Le Ngoc Hoa - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Photo: Thanh Duy

Bonding and trust continue to be strengthened

The two sides assessed the implementation of the agreement on the Vietnam-Laos cooperation plan for 2019 signed between the two governments. Accordingly, the set goals have been basically achieved, making an important contribution to consolidating and enhancing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

In particular, political-diplomatic relations, solidarity and trust continue to be strengthened. Senior leaders regularly exchange and closely coordinate on strategic issues, promptly resolving difficulties and obstacles.

Comrade Nguyen Van Trung - Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Committee affirmed that the political - foreign relations, the closeness and trust between the two countries continue to be strengthened. Photo: Thanh Duy

Cooperation in defense and security continues to be carried out well. Economic, trade and investment cooperation is being paid attention to and promoted. Investment by Vietnamese enterprises in Laos continues to make positive contributions to the socio-economic development of Laos, creating jobs for many people; many projects have been put into operation with good results.

Vietnam - Laos trade turnover in the first 10 months of 2019 reached 936 million USD, up 12.7% and will reach the target set for the whole year of 2019.

Cooperation in the field of education continues to be a priority. There are currently more than 16,000 Lao students studying in Vietnam, of which more than 4,200 are under the Agreement.

Comrade Kham-phoi Keo-kin-na-ly - Deputy Minister, Vice Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committee spoke at the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

Vietnam's aid capital for Laos continues to be used in a concentrated manner, completing 5 programs and projects during the year. In addition, the Lao National Assembly building project is also actively implemented, achieving the planned progress as scheduled.

Promoting the implementation of the Hanoi - Vientiane Expressway Project

At the meeting, the two sides agreed to continue to coordinate and implement cooperation with the view of promoting comprehensive cooperation in all fields between the two countries, focusing on a number of main contents, including: continuing to strengthen political relations; improving the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms; and effectively implementing the contents of the joint statement and agreements.

Leaders of Military Region 4 Command and Nghe An province attended the conference. Photo: Thanh Duy

The two countries continue to promote, popularize and educate about the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, Laos and Vietnam; closely cooperate to maintain political stability, national defense, security and social order and safety in each country.

Vietnam and Laos jointly promote and improve the effectiveness of economic cooperation, strengthen connectivity and complementarity between the two economies. They affirmed the effective implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on transport cooperation.

"The two countries continue to promote the implementation of the Hanoi - Vientiane Expressway Project; implement the Agreement on the development and exploitation of the Vientiane - Vung Ang Port railway; and promote the implementation of the Agreement on investment cooperation in developing ports 1, 2, and 3 of Vung Ang Port," said Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Trung.

Thong Thu Border Guard Station guides people in Nam Tay village (Laos) to grow oranges. Photo: PV

Comrade Kham-phoi Keo-kin-na-ly - Deputy Minister, Vice Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committee highly appreciated the cooperation results between the two countries, and at the same time suggested continuing to promote in areas such as education and training; boosting export and import turnover, investment projects...

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung assessed that the relationship between the two countries is very good in all fields, especially in 2019 with many outstanding results.

However, the economic cooperation relationship has not yet reached its potential, so the Ambassador suggested that the two Cooperation Committees make a frank assessment to have a more specific cooperation plan in 2020 and the coming time. At the same time, given the impact of climate change on the two countries, he suggested that it is necessary to coordinate responses to this content.

At the conference, Mr. Nguyen Van Trung - Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Committee and Mr. Kham Phoi Keo Kinnaly - Deputy Minister, Vice Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committee signed the Minutes of the meeting between the two Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committees on evaluating the cooperation agreement in 2019 and discussing cooperation directions in 2020. Photo: Thanh Duy

Based on the content discussed by the ministries, branches, localities and agencies of the two sides at this meeting, the two sides agreed to assign the Secretariat of the two countries' Cooperation Committees to continue completing the following documents:

Agreement on the Cooperation Plan between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 2020 and Minutes of the 42nd Session of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

Then, consult with relevant ministries, branches and agencies of each side, complete the procedures to submit to the two governments, and proceed to sign at the 42nd Session.