Vietnam ready to support Laos in ASEAN Chairmanship 2024

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith and FM Son co-chaired the tenth Vietnam-Laos foreign ministerial-level consultation meeting on November 22 in Hanoi.

The event took place as part of the working visit by the Lao diplomat at the invitation of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.

During the consultation, the two FMs held an extensive and substantive exchange on reviewing the content of bilateral ties over recent times, as well as preparations for high-level foreign affairs activities between the two countries moving forward. This was along with discussing measures to continue boosting ties between the two foreign ministries.

Both sides used the occasion to express their joy at the steady and effective progress made across multiple fields in recent times, with political trust continuing to be strengthened through delegation exchanges, high-level meetings, and contacts at different levels, thereby creating a solid foundation and direction for the overall bilateral relationship moving forward.

Furthermore, security and defence co-operation continued to be strengthened, thereby helping to maintain security and stability for each country.

Economic ties recorded more positive, substantive, and effective changes, with bilateral trade turnover reaching more than US$1.3 billion over the past 10 months.

Key projects continued to receive attention and promotion, of which a number of projects have been handed over and put into operation, while numerous difficulties and obstacles have since been resolved.

The two sides also continuously strive to improve the general quality and effectiveness of linkages in education and training and human resource development. This is taking place whilst stepping up the dissemination of information among young generations of the two countries regarding the great relationship, special solidarity, and Vietnam-Laos comprehensive co-operation.

Minister Son therefore proposed that the two foreign ministries continue to co-ordinate closely with relevant departments, ministries, and sectors to well serve the visits and contacts of senior leaders of the two countries in the coming time, including the official visit to Vietnam by the Lao Prime Minister and co-chairing the 46th meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

Host and guest agreed that the two foreign ministries, alongside departments, ministries, sectors, and localities of the two countries, will continue to effectively implement high-level agreements whilst reviewing bilateral collaboration mechanisms.

The two diplomats highly appreciated the co-operation that exists between the two foreign ministries, which is increasingly being promoted under their Cooperation Agreement for the 2021 to 2025 period.

They agreed to continue to maintain and promote periodic co-operation mechanisms between the two foreign ministries, such as the Action Program to strengthen diplomatic and economic links for the 2020 to 2025 period, the co-operation programme to train and foster Lao officials working in foreign affairs, international integration, and strategic research.

The two sides informed each other about each country's foreign policy, affirming that they will continue to proactively share information, exchange views, and co-ordinate stances at all channels and levels, thereby contributing to elevating international position of each nation.

They concurred to closely work together and support each other at multilateral forums, especially in ASEAN and Mekong sub-region co-operation mechanisms, whilst also backing ASEAN's common stance on strategic issues in the region, including the East Sea issue.

On the occasion, Kommasith invited FM Son to visit Laos and co-chair the foreign ministerial-level consultation meeting in 2024.