Vietnam seeks closer ties with Laos

The Deputy PM's meetings with the Lao senior leaders were part of his official visit to Laos on December 25-26, during which Minh also co-hosted the third political consultation at the foreign ministerial level.

The FM hailed the country’s tremendous development achievements under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and Government. He also congratulated Laos on its successful performance as the ASEAN Chair in 2016.

The top leaders of Laos applauded the great and wholehearted assistance the Vietnamese Party, National Assembly, Government and people have given to the Lao counterparts, adding their nation always treasures the time-honoured friendship, special unity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

They also thanked Vietnam for supporting their nation's role as the ASEAN Chair this year, which has helped Laos raise its international profile.

They hoped the two sides will enhance links in the time to come while urging closer coordination to prepare for activities marking 55 years of their diplomatic relations and 40 years since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 2017.

During the talks between Minh and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith, the officials expressed their delight at the extensive and effective development of their countries’ relations in all spheres.

The two sides have worked together to tackle difficulties and obstacles to enhance economic partnerships, especially in speeding up projects on energy and transport connectivity, improving the cooperation effectiveness in education, training and human resources development, and managing and using financial assistance to Laos, the ministers said.

They pledged to direct their ministries to keep coordination to serve the countries’ exchange of visits and boost the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms. 

They will also asked relevant ministries and agencies to carry out high-level agreements, particularly the joint statements issued during the recent mutual visits by Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith and Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The ministries will also work closely to organise various activities celebrating the 55th founding anniversary bilateral ties and 40 years since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 2017, helping to educate younger generations about the countries’ special solidarity.

At the talks, the two sides also compared notes on regional and international matters of shared concern, including the strategic environment in Asia-Pacific, cooperation within ASEAN, the development of the Greater Mekong Sub-region and the sustainable use of the Mekong River’s water resources, and the East Sea issues.

They agreed to augment close collaboration at regional and international forums, proactively and actively share information, exchange viewpoints and coordinate stances through all channels and at all levels.

Following the talks, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) presented the title of honorary doctor to Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.