Vietnam, Laos hold 8th political consultation
VOV.VN - The 8th ministerial-level political consultation was held in Hanoi on December 28, with the event co-hosted by Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith.
The two diplomats showed their elation at the development of the great friendship, special solidarity and all-around cooperation across a variety of fields between the two countries.
Notably, political trust between the two Parties and countries has been consolidated through a host of meetings and all-level delegation exchange, especially the Lao visit by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc in August 2021 and the Vietnam visit by President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane in December 2021.
The past 11 months of this year witnessed two-way trade exceed US$1.2 billion, representing a year-on-year rise of 33.6%. Both sides are still making every effort to maintain the efficiency of cooperation in education, training and human resource development and raised young generations’ awareness of the bilateral special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.
The two ministers consented to work hand in hand with ministries and agencies to effectively carry out signed cooperation agreements and outcomes of high-level visits, and hold celebrations for the Year of Vietnam – Laos, Laos – Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity 2022.
They hailed cooperation between the two foreign ministries in line with their 2021-2025 cooperation agreement as well as annual cooperation mechanisms and other exchanges between their relevant units.
Host and guest underlined the compliance with international law and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s central role in regional architectures. They pledged to boost closer coordination at regional and international forums, including maintaining ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea issue, actively and proactively sharing information and stances via all channels as a way of raising each country’s international position.
Xaysomphone affirmed his country’s support for Vietnam’s bid to run for a seat at the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure. Laos will continue working closely with Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms such as the Cambodia – Laos – Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV), the Cambodia – Laos – Myanmar – Vietnam Cooperation (CLMV) and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), he added.
The two ministers are set to co-chair a conference reviewing the “one-stop-shop” inspection model at Lao Bao – Densavan international border gate on December 29.
The Lao minister is due to co-chair the 31st meeting of the Vietnam – Laos border delegations together with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Boundary Commission Nguyen Minh Vu.
Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith is making an official visit to Vietnam from December 28-29 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son.