Deputy FM highlights significance of President’s visits to Laos, Cambodia

According to the Vietnamese diplomat, the trip to the neighbouring countries gives a very important message from the Vietnamese Party and State, as well as from the State leader himself, that Vietnam always places importance on and gives top priority to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive ties that with Laos. This is along with the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive linkages, and long-term sustainability with Cambodia.

Through a great determination to accelerate the implementation of high-level agreements, especially the outcomes of the annual meetings between the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), and the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), the trip will mark a new stage of development in the Vietnam-Laos and Vietnam-Cambodia relations.

Indeed, ties are based on equality, mutual benefit, effective co-operation, and respect for each other's interests, thereby contributing to strengthening strategic trust, deepening relations with the two countries, and reinforcing solidarity that exists between the three countries and the ASEAN bloc, the official said.

The Vietnam-Laos and Vietnam-Cambodia relations are currently seeing positive and comprehensive development, based on enhanced trust and closeness, Deputy Minister Viet said, emphasizing  that collaboration through the Party channel plays a crucial role in orienting the relations towards stronger development.

Mutual defence and security ties between with both Laos and Cambodia have become a solid pillar, making important contributions to maintaining political and social stability, whilst ensuring security in each nation, especially in border areas.

The three countries firmly adhere to the principle of not allowing any hostile forces to use one country's territory against another. They are effectively promoting important co-operation mechanisms such as the Annual Conference of Ministers of Public Security and Home Affairs, the Annual Ministerial Meeting of Defence Ministers of the three nations, and the joint rescue and disaster relief exercises between the three armies.

Economic, investment, and trade co-operation continues to greatly progress, with dynamic developments seen in border economic ties, thereby contributing to enhancing the connection that exists between the three countries and improving the living standards of border residents, Deputy Minister Viet stated.

The regular meetings of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee aim to exchange information and to find solutions to ameliorate the effectiveness of cooperation in key areas, the official went on to say.

The nation remains one of the largest investors and trade partners of Laos, with a total of 255 valid projects valued at US$5.5 billion. It is also Cambodia's third-largest trading partner in the world and the largest within ASEAN, with 205 investment projects worth US$2.94 billion. Both Laos and Cambodia are top destinations among the 79 countries and territories where the Vietnamese side has invested in.

Concerning educational and training ties, the nation concentrates on supporting Laos and Cambodia in improving the quality of their human resources. The number of exchange students between Vietnam and the two countries is increasing with higher quality, thereby serving as a crucial foundation for enhancing cultural exchange whilst strengthening mutual understanding and interaction among their peoples.

Collaboration efforts in transportation, culture and society, tourism, and science - technology has also witnessed strong developments. Notably, the work regarding legal documents of people of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia has made greater strides, thereby making it easier for them to live and work there.

During the course of his four-day trip, the President is set to have talks and a host of meetings with all high-ranking leaders of Laos and Cambodia. This will be a favourable opportunity for them to review high-level agreements and key co-operation areas, as well las outlining  directions for future linkages.

The visits will add fresh impetus to deepening the relations that between Vietnam and the two countries, as well as step up collaboration within multilateral frameworks such as ASEAN, Mekong sub-regional co-operation mechanisms, and the UN, the Vietnamese diplomat added.