Vietnam and Laos are determined to raise the level of economic cooperation and expand the space for cooperation and development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone attend a joint press conference after their talks - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

On the morning of January 11, in Vientiane, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone chaired a joint press conference to announce the results of the talks and the closing ceremony of the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

Also attending the event were Politburo member, Standing member of the Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Vice President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Bounthong Chitmany.

The two Prime Ministers and delegates at the joint press conference - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Strengthening connectivity between the two economies

Speaking to the press, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh once again expressed his sincere thanks for the warm, thoughtful and fraternal welcome that the Lao Party, Government and people have given to the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.

For his part, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone expressed his great joy and excitement to welcome and work with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. This is the Prime Minister's first visit, bringing solidarity, comradeship and brotherhood to the Lao Party, State and people.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said that in the joyful and exciting atmosphere of the "Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022", the two sides had an open, friendly, trustworthy, and effective meeting and achieved many important results.

The two sides were pleased to note that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples have been increasingly consolidated and deepened in effectiveness in recent times. The two sides discussed and agreed on measures to further strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone chaired a joint press conference to announce the results of the talks and summarize the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The two sides agreed to maintain regular high-level exchanges and contacts through various channels, helping to promote close and trustworthy political relations between the two Parties and two countries, effectively implementing the agreements of the two countries' senior leaders, promoting security and defense cooperation; at the same time, they are determined to raise the level of economic cooperation to match the stature of the special relationship between the two countries, focusing on continuing to support each other in economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic; building an independent, self-reliant economy associated with deep and effective international integration.

The two sides agreed to strengthen connectivity between the two economies, both in terms of hard and soft infrastructure, especially through promoting the implementation of strategic projects connecting road, rail, and aviation transport, in addition to telecommunications, energy, financial services, banking, etc., in order to expand the space for cooperation and development between the two countries.

The two sides paid special attention to improving the quality of education and training cooperation and agreed to continue to coordinate to effectively implement the Project to improve the quality and effectiveness of Vietnam - Laos cooperation in the field of education and human resources development for the 2021 - 2030 period.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: Vietnam and Laos have overcome many difficulties and hardships together, shared the good and the bad, and are willing to sacrifice blood and bones for each other, constantly joining hands to foster a special, loyal, and "unique" solidarity. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac.

The two sides also discussed a number of international and regional issues of mutual concern; affirmed to continue to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially ASEAN and the Mekong Sub-region cooperation mechanisms. Vietnam will wholeheartedly support Laos in successfully assuming its international responsibilities in the coming time, including hosting the 10th ACMECS Summit in 2023 and assuming the role of ASEAN/AIPA Chair in 2024.

Immediately after the talks, the two sides signed 10 important cooperation documents related to finance and banking, transportation, economic diplomacy, science and technology, information and communication technology, education and training, and healthcare, continuing to create an important framework for deepening cooperation between the two countries in the coming period.

Ready to sacrifice blood and bones for each other

Delighted and proud of the important cooperation achievements in 2022, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone respectfully announced the summary of the "Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022", warmly wishing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam to be forever green and sustainable.

The two Prime Ministers were excited and proud to affirm that the "Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022" has been a great success, contributing to creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere and adding momentum to the special Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam relationship to develop more deeply and effectively, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability, prosperity, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit brings solidarity, comradeship and brotherhood to the Lao Party, State and people - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The two Prime Ministers emphasized that the "Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022" is of utmost importance as the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation - historical milestones, deepening the special solidarity and exemplary loyal relationship between the two countries and peoples.

Immediately after the launching ceremony of the "Year of Solidarity and Friendship" co-chaired by the Prime Ministers of the two countries in Hanoi in January 2022, the National Steering Committee for the Year of Solidarity and Friendship of Vietnam issued a list of 75 commemorative activities chaired by the Vietnamese side throughout the year, taking place in many localities across the country, with diverse forms and rich content.

One of the major and meaningful events is the solemn celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, taking place simultaneously in Hanoi and Vientiane on July 18, 2022, with the highlight being the speeches of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Comrade Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic with many extremely important and profound contents about the tradition of special relations between the two Parties and the two countries. On this occasion, the two sides also solemnly held ceremonies to award noble medals to the leaders of the Parties and States of both sides.

During the "Year of Solidarity and Friendship", high-level delegation exchange activities at all levels, both central and local, took place very enthusiastically, contributing to strengthening the close relationship, trust and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

Many cultural, artistic, sports and people-to-people exchange activities such as: "Vietnam Cultural Week in Laos" and "Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam"; "Vietnam - Laos Border Cultural, Sports and Tourism Exchange Festival"; "Vietnam - Laos People's Friendship Festival"; contests to learn about the traditional Vietnam - Laos relationship; publishing many books, special issues, films, reports, radio and television programs on the special relationship between the two nations, two countries and two peoples...

The two Prime Ministers assessed that the rich, diverse and meaningful activities have contributed to spreading widely and helping people of all walks of life, especially the young generation of the two countries, to understand and absorb more deeply the historical connection between the two peoples, especially the 60-year journey since the two countries established diplomatic relations.

Delegations of Vietnam and Laos at the closing ceremony of the "Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022". Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

"Together we have overcome many difficulties and hardships, shared the good and the bad, and are ready to sacrifice blood and bones for each other, constantly joining hands to foster a special, loyal, and "unique" solidarity in international relations. Vietnam and Laos - as General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said - are not only two neighboring countries but also "two brotherly and comradely countries", Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said./.