During the phone call, Lao PM Phankham Viphavanh expressed his confidence in the Party, State and people of Vietnam, while hoping that PM Chinh will excellently fulfill his important missions.

PM Chinh said he desires to work hand in hand with the Lao PM to constantly reinforce and develop the great friendship, special solidarity and all-around cooperation between the two nations.

The two PMs showed elation at the continued cooperation between the two countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and consented to step up closer collaboration to cope with common challenges and mobilize international resources for each country’s socio-economic development as well as for bilateral cooperation moving forward.

They consented to make every effort to improve the efficiency of the coordination between the two governments so as to well realize high-level agreements and outcomes of the 43rd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee, as well as to enhance cooperation across multiple fields, from defence-security, trade-investment, transport, to education-training, people-to-people exchange and local partnerships.

The pair pledged to closely coordinate and offer mutual support at multilateral forums, especially ASEAN and the Greater Mekong Sub-region frameworks. They will also work together to hold a broad array of activities to mark the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and 45th anniversary of the two countries’ friendship and amity treaty in 2022.

They used the occasion to invite each other to visit their respective countries. PM Chinh extended his warm greetings to Lao leaders and people on the occasion of their traditional Bunpimay festival.

Talking to Chinh, PM Hun Sen hailed the tremendous achievements Vietnam has recorded in the recent past, expressing his belief that under the leadership of PM Chinh, the Vietnamese Government and people will achieve more successes in national reform and development and unceasingly promote the country’s role and stature in the region and the wider world.

In response, PM Chinh expressed his wish to work closely with PM Hun Sen so as to continue developing the sound neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations and the two governments in a sustainable and effective manner.

He said he believes that the Cambodian Government and people, under the clear-sighted leadership of Hun Sen, will bring the COVID-19 outbreak under control soon and reap new achievements in the time ahead.

He also agreed to assign the countries’ ministers of health to share experience in COVID-19 prevention and control.

The two PMs noted with satisfaction their countries’ efforts to maintain cooperation through phone talks and teleconferences at all levels amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, and effectively optimize bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

They concurred to ramp up coordination to effectively implement the agreements between Vietnamese and Cambodian leaders, promote stronger ties in defence and security, improve the effectiveness of borderline management, prevent the spread of diseases, and ensure the smooth flow of goods through border gates.

The two sides were also of the same mind about boosting closer coordination at multilateral forums and joining other member nations to maintain the solidarity and promote the centrality of ASEAN.

PM Chinh thanked Cambodia for backing Vietnam’s successful role serving as Chair of ASEAN in 2020, while affirming the nation’s support for Cambodia to successfully organise the 7th Greater Mekong Sub-region Summit and the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in 2021.

During the talks, the leaders exchanged the invitation to visit each other’s nations in the coming time.

PM Chinh also offered greetings to the Cambodian leaders and people on their traditional New Year festival.