Vietnam, Laos cement special friendship, boost all-round cooperation
VOV.VN - Vietnam and Laos should cultivate and constantly consolidate their close friendly neighborly relationship and special solidarity for the security and development of each country as well as peace and stability and cooperation in the region.
The view was shared by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and visiting Vice President of Laos Pany Yathotou during their talks in Hanoi on April 26.
The two sides were delighted at the new developments in bilateral cooperation in all fields, noting that despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam and Laos have maintained regular high-level exchanges to effectively promote key cooperation mechanisms.
In the first quarter of this year, they said the two-way trade turnover reached US$403.6 million, up 19.22% over the same period in 2021. Vietnam currently has 214 valid investment projects in Laos with a total registered capital of about US$5.33 billion, emerging as one of the largest investors in the country.
They agreed to continue maintaining regular high-level reciprocal visits on all channels and effectively implementing agreements reached at the 44th session of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee, especially those on bilateral cooperation in 2021-2025 and 2021-2030.
The two sides will coordinate closely to organize practical activities within the framework of their Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations and 45 years of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
They also agreed to further strengthen and improve the effectiveness of cooperation in defense, security, transportation, education and training, cultural and sports exchanges, as well as cooperation between localities of the two countries.
The two sides affirmed determination to raise economic cooperation on a par with their special relationship. They committed to solve difficulties barring business operations, expand the connectivity of hard and soft infrastructure in transportation. telecommunications, energy, and digital economy, promote border trade, and deal with free migration.
Exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two Vice Presidents said Vietnam and Laos will continue to coordinate closely and support each other at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms. They voiced their strong support for ASEAN’s solidarity and its central role in addressing regional and international issues by peaceful means and in accordance with the law.
Vice President Pany Yathotou respectfully invited Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan to pay an official visit to Laos at an appropriate time, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.
