Vietnam-Laos special relationship - common invaluable asset, source of great strength

Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairman of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, said the visit takes place right after comrade To Lam was elected as General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee. This is a particularly important external activity of the two Parties and two nations, in the context that the two Parties and two countries are actively implementing the Resolution of each Party's Congress, preparing well for Party Congresses at all levels towards the 12th National Congress of the LPRP and the 14th National Congress of the CPV.

During the visit, the leaders of the two Parties and countries are expected to update each other about their respective parties and countries, discuss the international situation, evaluate the results of the bilateral cooperation, and propose directions to improve the effectiveness of the cooperation in the coming time to meet the interests of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

In the relations between the two Parties and the two countries, a very important success is that the close and trustworthy political relationship has continued to develop strongly. This is clearly demonstrated through high-level visits and exchanges, discussions on strategic issues, enhanced mutual understanding and better coordination to boost socio-economic development, Party building and international issues, the official said.

Over the past time, the Vietnam - Laos relationship has continued to develop in all fields, contributing significantly to maintaining political stability, ensuring national defence and security in each country. The two sides effectively implemented high-level agreements, treaties, plans, and bilateral cooperation programmes, he added.

The close and trustworthy political relationship continued to be strengthened, playing a core and guiding role in the overall relations between the two countries. The two sides have always affirmed that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos is a common invaluable asset of the two Parties and peoples of the two nations which needs to be preserved, promoted, and passed on to future generations.

The two sides have been promoting cooperation mechanisms, focusing on strategic issues, guidelines and policies relating to security and development of each country, contributing to deepening the special Vietnam - Laos relationship.

In addition, key leaders of the three countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia also regularly met and made contacts when they attended multilateral forums.

Party committees, ministries, branches, organisations and localities have actively implemented high-level agreements and treaties between the two governments; contents agreed upon at the 46th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Cooperation; and cooperation programmes between ministries, sectors and localities.

The two sides also coordinated to organise short-term training courses for Lao managers and professionals at all levels on advanced political theory, lecturers of political schools, and administrative management work; coordinate with Cambodia to organise a training programme for young cadres of the border provinces of Vietnam - Cambodia - Laos in Cambodia.

On the occasion of major holidays, special events, and traditional New Year of each country, senior leaders and leaders of departments, ministries and sectors sent congratulatory letters and messages to each other. The two sides coordinated to award medals and insignias to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements, contributing to consolidating and strengthening the special Vietnam - Laos relationship.

Cooperation in defence - security and foreign affairs has continued to be important pillars in the two countries’ relations. The two sides have closely coordinated and supported each other to maintain political stability, ensure defence, security and social order and safety in each country.

Vietnam has been closely coordinating with and supporting Laos in terms of materials, equipment and experience to help Laos successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chair and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Chair in 2024.

The two sides have effectively implemented the annual consultation mechanism at the levels of the Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations and the Foreign Minister; increased information exchange on world and regional issues of mutual concern; closely and effectively coordinated activities at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN, ASEM, CLV, CLMV, ACMECS and Mekong Sub-region cooperation mechanisms, contributing to enhancing the prestige and position of each country.

Regarding investment, Vietnam has 256 investment projects in Laos with total investment capital of about 5.5 billion USD, with accumulated disbursed capital reaching about US$2.8 billion. Many investment projects of Vietnamese enterprises in Laos are operating effectively, contributing positively to socio-economic development, creating jobs and increasing income for thousands of workers, contributing to the Lao state budget, especially in the fields of telecommunications, banking, rubber planting and processing, food production and processing, and dairy products.

In the first seven months of 2024, Vietnam's registered investment capital in Laos was 36.7 million USD, an increase of 39.5% over the same period in 2023.

Vietnam - Laos trade turnover in 2023 reached 1.6 billion USD. In the first seven months of 2024, the trade turnover reached about US$1.1 billion, an increase of 16.7% over the same period in 2023. It is estimated to reach US$1.3 billion in the first eight months of 2024.

The two sides have continued to actively implement the MoU between the two governments on the development of hydropower projects in Laos and electricity trading between the two countries.

Regarding education and training, in 2024, Vietnam will provide 1,120 scholarships to Laos and Laos will provide 60 scholarships to Vietnam. In 2022-2023, 14,050 Lao students studied at more than 170 educational institutions in Vietnam.

Medical examination and treatment for Lao officials and people in Vietnam, especially in provinces sharing the borderline have continued to be focused on and well implemented.

People-to-people diplomacy activities have regularly received attention from the two countries with many cultural, artistic and sports exchanges being held, contributing to enhancing understanding between the people of the two countries, and deepening the Vietnam - Laos relationship.

The State visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith is one of the important milestones in the history of the relationship between the two countries, contributing to promoting the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, Trung affirmed.