Vietnam, Laos affirm determination to give top priority to bilateral ties
VOV.VN - Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith have affirmed that they will give top priority to the sound relations, and special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries during their phone talks on November 10.
During the phone conversation, the two PMs also discussed bilateral ties and regional cooperation ahead of the 37th ASEAN Summit.
PM Thongloun once again conveyed Lao Party, State and Government leaders' and people’s sympathies to their Vietnamese counterparts over huge losses caused by recent floods in the central region. He wished that Vietnam would overcome the consequences soon and natural disaster-hit people would stabilise their lives.
He congratulated Vietnam on its tremendous achievements in effectively coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, restoring socio-economic development and successfully assuming the role of ASEAN Chair 2020 as a means of raising its stature in the region and the world.
PM Phuc lauded the Lao Government for carrying out the Party’s resolutions and State policies and successfully holding important meetings in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, thus making positive contributions to sub-regional connectivity.
The pair glowingly spoke of bilateral coordination in key areas such as politics, security, national defence, economy, trade, investment, culture, information and education-training.
As Vietnam and Laos have basically contained the COVID-19 pandemic, the PMs underlined the need to further facilitate the flows of cargo and passengers between the two nations, therefore soon reaching consensus on plans to reopen mainland border gates and resume commercial flights while effectively carrying out key cooperation projects.
The two leaders pledged to continue jointly preparing for important activities, including the 43rd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee and the seventh foreign ministerial consultation, as well as holding activities marking the 45th anniversary of Laos' National Day and the 100th birth anniversary of Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane.
They applauded close collaboration and mutual support at regional and global forums, especially within the framework of ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
The Lao PM highlighted Vietnam’s successes in its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and ASEAN Chair 2020 as a contribution to the building of a united, resilient and prosperous ASEAN Community.
He also vowed to continue cooperating with and supporting Vietnam in successfully holding the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings.
The two government leaders emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen ASEAN solidarity and consensus in the East Sea issue, coordinating in negotiations to finalise an effective and practical Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to the maintenance of a peaceful and stable environment in the region.