PM Chinh begins official visit to Laos

Those welcoming the Vietnamee Government chief at the airport included Minister, Chairman of the Lao Deputy PM Office Alounxai Sounnalath, Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung.

Right after his arrival in Vientiane, Chinh laid a wreath at a monument dedicated to Laos’ unknown martyrs in tribute to Lao people who sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the country, as well as for Vietnam's independence, freedom and reunification.

It will be his first visit to Laos on the capacity as Vietnamese PM. He will also be the first foreign leader to visit Laos since Lao PM Siphandon was elected.

During the visit, the Vietnamese Government chief is to co-chair the 45th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee and attend the closing ceremony of Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

The visit will affirm Vietnam’s unwavering policy of treasuring and prioritising the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between the two nations, as well as Vietnam’s support for Laos during its national renovation and integration.

It is also meant to realise the foreign policy set at the 13th National Party Congress and reinforce external activities via Party, State and people-to-people diplomacy channels, as well as the Politburo’s conclusion on overseas Vietnamese affairs in the new situation.

As scheduled, both sides will review outstanding achievements in bilateral ties in 2022 and lay out major orientations for 2023, jointly hold major celebrations, discuss a score of measures to  step up political-diplomatic and national defence-security cooperation, and effectively implement legal documents related to border and overseas Vietnamese and Lao affairs.

They will also discuss ways to enhance economic-trade-investment, education and culture ties, connectivity between the two economies, contributing to effectively implementing out key projects and mutual liaison at regional and global forums, particularly within the framework of ASEAN and Mekong sub-regional cooperation.

The Vietnamese leader is also due to meet Vietnamese community living in Laos and pledge the Party and State’s support for them as a contribution to upholding the great national unity.

Here’s some photos welcoming Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at Wattay airport: