Vietnam-Laos aim for trade turnover of 5 billion USD

On the occasion of attending the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the afternoon of July 8, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son had a bilateral meeting with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane to discuss bilateral cooperation and coordination between the two countries at regional forums.

At the meeting, the two Ministers expressed their delight at the strong, effective, in-depth and substantive development of the Vietnam-Laos cooperation in all areas. Political trust continues to be enhanced through regular exchanges of delegations and contacts at high and all levels as well as within the framework of cooperation mechanisms; defense-security cooperation continues to be in-depth and effective, providing a solid foundation for each other; cooperation and connectivity between the two countries has made much progress, especially in transport infrastructure, border gates and seaports; people-to-people exchanges are increasingly extensive and closely linked.

The two Ministers expressed their joy at the strong changes in economic , trade and investment cooperation. Two-way trade turnover in the first 5 months of 2025 reached 1.6 billion USD, an increase of 100.4% over the same period, towards the target of 5 billion USD in the coming time. With the putting into use of Vung Ang wharf 3, Laos can expand international integration, facilitate import and export of goods, further highlight the connection and economic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, thereby clearly demonstrating the special trust and sincere friendship between comrades and brothers of Vietnam and Laos.

Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that Laos always attaches importance to and gives high priority to strengthening and developing special relations with Vietnam.

Discussing measures to promote cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries in the coming time, the two Ministers were pleased to share that this was the second meeting between the two Ministers in the past two months; agreed to direct relevant units to coordinate to effectively implement the commitments and agreements of the two countries' senior leaders; well prepare for activities, visits and high-level meetings in the coming time, especially the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), the 50th anniversary of Laos' National Day (December 21, 1975 - December 21, 2025) and the 105th anniversary of the birth of President Kayson Phomvihane (December 13, 1920 - December 13, 2025); effectively implement the Cooperation Agreement for the 2021-2025 period and soon agree on a new Cooperation Agreement; effectively promote the mechanisms of Political Consultation at the Ministerial level and Political Consultation at the Deputy Foreign Minister level.

The Lao Foreign Minister respectfully reiterated that the participation of the Lao armed forces in the parade at the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and the upcoming 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day is of great significance to Laos and the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

The two sides also shared views on a number of international and regional issues of mutual concern; agreed to continue to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially within ASEAN and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms; and supported ASEAN's common stance on strategic issues in the region, including the East Sea issue.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-lao-huong-toi-muc-tieu-kim-ngach-thuong-mai-5-ty-usd-320269.html