Congratulations to Laos on 45th National Day
	Vietnam, Laos hold seventh annual foreign ministerial-level political consultation
	HUFO get-together marks Laos’ 45th National Day

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith co-chair the 43rd meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee. (Photo: VGP)

The 43rd meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee took place in Ha Noi on December 6 under the chair of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith.

According to VGP, participants include Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung; Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Sonexay Siphandone, Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, and Minister-Chairman of the Lao Government Office Khamjane Vongphosy.

Upon addressing the meeting, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized that despite complicated and unpredictable developments in the region and the world, especially the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam and Laos have maintained high-level meetings and exchange visits as well as important bilateral cooperation mechanisms and mutual support in pandemic prevention and control, which signified the combined efforts and determination in fostering their special bilateral ties in the time to come.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) shakes hands with Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith at the Government Office, Ha Noi, December 6, 2020. (Photo: VGP)

He congratulated the Lao Government on the tremendous achievements in socio-economic development over the years, especially in effectively containing COVID-19 and maintaining relatively high growth as well as successfully hosting sub-regional cooperation events as a contribution to raising the country’s position in the region, reported by VOV.

The Vietnamese Government chief thanked the Lao side for coordinating closely with Vietnam in controlling the pandemic, helping flood-hit people in the central region, and supporting the country in undertaking the roles of ASEAN Chair in 2020 and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.

For his part, Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith lauded Vietnam’s success in implementing the twin targets of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and boosting socio-economic development at the same time, thus emerging as a bright spot in the global economy, Vietnam Plus cited.

The two PMs showed their elation at the fruitful cooperation between the two countries. (Photo: VOV_

He congratulated Vietnam on successfully performing the role of ASEAN Chair in 2020 with many important initiatives to foster regional solidarity and cooperation. He highlighted the approval of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which he said affirmed the important role and position of Vietnam in the world arena.

The Lao PM thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for helping Laos overcome the consequences of natural disasters and the pandemic by providing Laos with 1,000 tonnes of rice to the flood-hit Savannakhet province.

The two leaders were pleased that the two countries’ politic-diplomacy ties have been increasingly strengthened, playing a core role in guiding the sides’ overall relationship. Defense-security cooperation remains a key pillar, contributing to ensuring political stability and social order and safety in respective countries.

The two delegations of Vietnam and Laos pose for a group photo (Photo: VNA)

They agreed to continue placing special priority to education and training cooperation while accelerating the connectivity between the two economies, especially transport and telecommunication connectivity. They also encouraged ministries, agencies, localities, business and mass organizations to expand cooperation and mutual support in a practical and effective manner. Both sides vowed to continue close collaboration and mutual support at regional and international forums, particularly ASEAN, Mekong Sub-region mechanisms and the United Nations.

The two countries pledged to strengthen consultation and mutual support to help each other improve their international positions and self-reliance, particularly on security and strategic matters in the region such as the East Sea and Mekong issues. Both Viet Nam and Laos committed to working with other ASEAN member States to effectively curb the Covid-19 pandemic, promote ASEAN solidarity and central role, and Community building process.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith witness the signing of 17 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding. (Photo: VOV)

Concluding the meeting, PM Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith witnessed the signing of 17 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding, including a 2021 Vietnam-Laos cooperation plan agreement, a protocol on implementation of the agreement on investment cooperation for port development No. 1,2,3 of Vung Ang port, a Memorandum of Understanding between the two ministries of transport on research and development of railway between Vietnam and Laos, and some agreements regarding education and energy between the two countries.

Also on December 6, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan had a meeting December 6 with Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith who is on a Vietnam visit to attend the 43rd meeting of the Vietnam-Lao Inter-Governmental Committee. The top legislator lauded the outcomes of the inter-governmental committee’s meeting, with the signing of 17 cooperative documents, and outlining of cooperative strategies in the next 5-10 years.

Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan had a meeting December 6 with Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (Photo: VGP)

Ngan congratulated the Lao Party, State, and people on their socio-economic achievements in the recent past amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, expressing her strong belief that Laos will successfully carry out its socio-economic development plan during 2020-2015, and organize the 11th national congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party in 2021. She affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly attaches much importance to improving cooperation efficiency in the fields of economy, trade, investment, and education-training, as well as pushing the implementation of key projects between the two nations.

The Lao PM, for his part, thanked Vietnam for organizing the ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary of the Lao National Day, and the 100th birthday of late Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane on December 2. The Lao PM spoke highly of Vietnam in the roles of the ASEAN Chair and AIPA 41 Chair in 2020, VNA cited.

Both sides agreed that it is important to raise young people’s awareness of the sound traditional relations between the two countries, saying it helps unceasingly consolidate the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in the coming time.

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