Promoting the "unique" Vietnam-Laos relationship to become increasingly sustainable and effective

Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith affirmed his readiness to coordinate with President To Lam to promote the "unique" relationship in the world to become increasingly sustainable and effective.

President To Lam and Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith pose for a photo. (Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA)

According to the special correspondent of the Vietnam News Agency, at the invitation of General Secretary and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Thongloun Sisoulith, on the morning of July 11, President To Lam and a high-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam arrived in Vientiane to begin a State visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Immediately after the official welcoming ceremony, President To Lam and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith chaired talks between the two countries' high-ranking delegations.

Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith warmly welcomed and highly appreciated the important significance of President To Lam's first overseas trip since taking office; emphasizing that President To Lam's choice of Laos as the first country to visit in his new position demonstrates the importance that the Vietnamese Party, State and comrade To Lam personally attach to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith once again congratulated Comrade To Lam on being elected as President of Vietnam and expressed his confidence that President To Lam and other senior Vietnamese leaders will continue to develop Vietnam.

Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith thanked President To Lam for bringing to Laos the sincere friendship, solidarity and close attachment of the Party, State and people of Vietnam; at the same time, he affirmed his readiness to coordinate with President To Lam to promote the "unique" relationship in the world to become increasingly sustainable and effective; and sincerely thanked Vietnam for its support for Laos in the struggle for national independence, as well as in the cause of national construction and development today.

President To Lam holds talks with Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith. (Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA)

Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith respectfully conveyed his warm regards and best wishes to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other senior leaders of Vietnam; congratulated Vietnam on its great, outstanding and comprehensive achievements in implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and Vietnam's Socio-Economic Development Plan in recent times; and emphasized that Vietnam's achievements are a great source of encouragement and motivation for the Lao revolutionary cause.

Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith congratulated Vietnam on its important foreign achievements in recent times, strongly affirming Vietnam's prestige and international position.

For his part, President To Lam expressed his joy at his first State visit to Laos in his new position; respectfully conveyed the warm regards and best wishes of health from General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, senior leaders and all cadres, party members and people of Laos; sincerely thanked the Lao leaders and people for their warm, thoughtful and fraternal welcome to the delegation.

President To Lam highly appreciated the great and comprehensive achievements that the Lao Party, Government and people have achieved in the cause of innovation and national construction and expressed his belief that Laos will soon overcome difficulties and challenges, move towards successfully implementing the goals set by the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and successfully organize the 12th Party Congress.

President To Lam expressed his gratitude for the sincere and pure sentiments and valuable help and support of the Lao State and people for Vietnam's cause of national construction and protection up to now.

President To Lam and members of the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation at the talks with General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and the Lao high-ranking delegation. (Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA)

After informing each other about the socio-economic situation in each country, the two leaders expressed their delight at the good development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in recent times.

The two sides continue to regularly maintain delegation exchanges and high-level contacts, effectively promote important bilateral cooperation mechanisms, thereby helping to continue maintaining and promoting close and trustworthy political relations at the highest level.

Defense and security cooperation is increasingly close and effective as an important pillar in the relationship between the two countries.

Economic cooperation is being promoted, in which trade and investment continue to be bright spots; Vietnam remains one of Laos' leading trade and investment partners.

At the same time, the two sides have also made efforts to completely remove difficulties and obstacles in a number of key projects.

Cooperation in the fields of culture, society, education, sports, people-to-people exchange and cooperation between localities, especially between border provinces, continues to be strengthened, bringing concrete benefits to the people of the two countries.

In a friendly atmosphere, full of comradely affection, the two leaders had a sincere and frank exchange of views on orientations and measures to promote cooperation in various fields; emphasizing that in the context of the current complicated developments in the world and the region, the two countries need to increase consultation, exchange of experiences, coordinate and support each other to overcome challenges and difficulties; and together build an independent, self-reliant economy with deep international integration.

The two leaders reaffirmed the consistent policy of both countries to always attach importance to and give the highest priority to consolidating and cultivating the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos; continue to focus on effectively implementing high-level agreements between the two countries, as well as between ministries and branches at the central and local levels; strengthen consultations on strategic issues; promote the exchange of visits and contacts at high and all levels; review and improve the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms; step up propaganda and education on the traditional history of the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos for the people of the two countries, especially the young generation; soon include the contents of the Ministry of History of the Vietnam-Laos Special Relationship in teaching at educational institutions of each country; coordinate in building works and historical relics on the Vietnam-Laos relationship, including the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Park in the capital Vientiane.

The two sides also agreed to promote the pillar of security-defense cooperation to coordinate in dealing with new challenges; continue to coordinate and support each other to ensure political stability, security, order and social safety in each country; effectively implement agreements between the two countries' Ministries of National Defense and Public Security; closely coordinate in border management and protection, especially in preventing and combating transnational crimes, drug crimes, illegal exploitation of natural resources, and illegal entry and exit; continue to effectively coordinate in searching for, excavating and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos and in renovating Vietnam-Laos combat alliance monuments.

General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and the Lao high-ranking delegation at the talks with President To Lam and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation. (Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA)

The two sides agreed to make efforts to raise the level of economic cooperation to match the stature of political relations; increase the exchange of experience in macroeconomic management and anti-corruption; upgrade international border gates and traffic routes connecting the two countries; and continuously improve the effectiveness of cooperation in the fields of education and training, tourism, energy, clean agriculture, science, technology, health care, culture, people-to-people exchange and between localities.

The two leaders discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern; agreed that in the context of the current rapid and complex developments in the world and region, the two sides need to increase information sharing, exchange, coordination and close cooperation in regional and international forums; ensure solidarity and promote the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ASEAN-led mechanisms.

President To Lam affirmed that in the spirit of comradeship, Vietnam will wholeheartedly support Laos in successfully assuming its important international responsibilities in 2024, including the role of ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair.

At the talks, President To Lam announced the gift from the Party, State and people of Vietnam to the Party, State and people of Laos, which is 20 VinFast electric cars to support Laos in successfully organizing important activities during its ASEAN Chairmanship year 2024.

After the talks, the leaders of the two countries witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents including: (i) Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and the Ministry of Public Security of Laos on the development and implementation of a population management and citizen identification system in Laos; (ii) Extradition Agreement between the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and the Supreme People's Procuracy of Laos; (iii) Cooperation Plan for 2024 between the Ministry of Justice of Vietnam and the Ministry of Justice of Laos; (iv) Agreement on enhancing Vietnam-Laos air transport connectivity between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Laos and Vietjet; and a number of agreements between businesses of the two countries.

Notably, Vietjet has signed a cooperation agreement with the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport to enhance air transport connectivity in Laos. Accordingly, Vietjet will cooperate with the Lao Civil Aviation Authority to implement aviation projects, expand commercial activities and commit to creating 2,500 new jobs in Laos. Vietjet Aviation Academy will also train personnel according to international standards and establish a technical maintenance facility in Laos.

Vietjet has signed a cooperation agreement with the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport to enhance air transport connectivity in Laos.

Vietjet will provide cost-saving flights and good services for people and tourists, contributing to socio-economic development, enhancing trade, tourism and cultural connections between Laos and other countries in the region. The Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport highly appreciates Vietjet's contributions and this cooperation is in line with the transport cooperation strategy between Vietnam and Laos.

In 2023, Vietjet put into operation an aircraft maintenance center in cooperation with Lao Airlines, launched a route connecting Vientiane with Ho Chi Minh City and expanded its international flight network. Vietnam is currently one of the largest investors in Laos with many important projects, promoting cooperation and sustainable development between the two countries.

Vietnam is currently one of the largest investors and trade partners of Laos and currently has 255 valid investment projects in Laos with a total capital of 5.5 billion USD. In particular, cooperation in areas such as transportation, tourism, science and technology is developing strongly, including new projects of Vietjet, promoting trade and investment, playing an important role in sustainable development and common prosperity between Vietnam - Laos and in the region.

The talks took place in an atmosphere of special understanding, trust and friendship. At the end of the talks, President To Lam respectfully reiterated his invitation to General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith to visit Vietnam at a convenient time. General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith happily accepted the invitation.

On this occasion, the two leaders also attended the ceremony to activate the project "Implementing the population management and citizen identification system project in the Lao People's Democratic Republic," a project of special importance in the process of building a digital government and digital nation in Laos and a testament to the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos./.

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