Vietnam gives highest priority to time-honoured relationship with Laos
VOV.VN - Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his wife are scheduled to pay an official visit to Vietnam and co-chair the 46th Meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on January 6-7.
This is Siphandone’s first visit to Vietnam after he was elected Prime Minister of Laos on December 30, 2022.
The visit takes place at a time when relations between the two countries are developing well, with a high level of trust developed in political ties, playing a core role in the overall direction of the two countries’ relations.
It’s worth remembering that President Vo Van Thuong chose Laos as the first foreign nation to visit after he was elected President of Vietnam in March 2023. The visit demonstrated Vietnam’s consistent policy of giving the highest priority to consolidating and cultivating the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos.
The two countries are coordinating to effectively implement an agreement between the two Politburos, the results of the 45th Meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee (January 2023), an agreement on bilateral cooperation for 2021-2025 and a bilateral cooperation strategy for 2021-2030.
They maintain a regular exchange of high-level visits and contacts, including the meeting between the heads of the three ruling parties of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in September 2023, the meeting between President Vo Van Thuong and Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith within the framework of the third Belt and Road Summit in Beijing, China, in October 2023, and the official visit to Laos in January 2023 by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Chinh also met the Lao PM several last year on the sidelines of the fourth International Mekong River Commission Summit in April 2023, the 42nd ASEAN Summit in May 2023, the ASEAN - Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in October 2023, the 43rd ASEAN Summit in September 2023, and the special ASEAN-Japan Summit in December 2023. Meanwhile, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue attended the first parliamentary leaders summit of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in December 2023.
During these contacts and meetings, the Lao leaders thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for standing side by side with the Party, State and people of Lao ethnic groups in all circumstances. The Vietnamese leaders for their part emphasized that Vietnam would wholeheartedly support Laos in successfully undertaking international responsibilities in the coming time, including its role as ASEAN Chair in 2024, as well as in building an independent and self-reliant economy.
Defense, security and foreign affairs cooperation continues to be maintained and developed as an important pillar in the two countries’ relations. The two sides coordinate closely and support each other to well implement the defense-security cooperation plan for 2020-2024.
With regard to economic cooperation, Vietnam currently has 241 investment projects in Laos with a total registered capital of US$5.47 billion, retaining its third position among foreign investors in the country. As of October 2023, two-way trade turnover reached more than US$1.3 billion, of which Vietnamese exports to Laos hit US$441.9 million.
Progress has also been made in cooperation in other important fields such as culture, education, science-technology, as well as local cooperation.
In 2023, the two sides broke ground, inaugurated and handed over a number of projects using aid from the Government of Vietnam to the Government of Laos, such as the inauguration of the Laos – Vietnam Friendship Hospital in Xiengkhouang province, and the inauguration of the Lao People’s Army Ethnic Boarding School.
Last year also saw Vietnam give Laos 1,100 scholarships to study at Vietnamese institutions. Currently, approximately 14,000 Lao students are studying in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Laos last year presented 60 scholarships to Vietnam.
Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two countries coordinate closely and support each other at multilateral forums, especially in ASEAN when Laos assumes the role of ASEAN Chair in 2024. The two countries also regularly coordinate with each other at sub-regional mechanisms and the United Nations.
