Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks in Hanoi on January 6 with his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone who is on an official visit to Vietnam from January 6-7, according to a report from the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

The Vietnamese PM welcomed the first official visit to Vietnam by PM Sonexay Siphandone in his new capacity, and highly valued the achievements that the Party, State and people of Laos have obtained recently, especially maintaining political - social stability and national defence - security, and boosting economic recovery.

PM Chinh said he believes that under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), Laos will overcome all difficulties and challenges and successfully implement the 9th five-year socio-economic development plan, continue to successfully carry out the Resolution of the 11th National Party Congress.

The Vietnamese leader thanked the Lao Party and State for their valuable support to Vietnam’s past struggle for national independence and at-present national construction and development, while affirming that Vietnam always treasures and gives the highest priority to the special relationship between the two countries.

For his part, PM Sonexay Siphandone expressed his impression of and congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in socio-economic development, defence - security, and foreign affairs which help raise the country's prestige and position in the international arena.

These achievements are considered a great source of encouragement and support for Laos’ national safeguarding and building, he said.

PM Sonexay Siphandone took the occasion to thank valuable support and assistance Vietnam gave to Laos in the struggle for independence, and national development.

The two PMs expressed their delight at the sound development of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in all fields, including the consolidation of political relations, the regular exchange of high-level visits and meetings, and the deepening of collaboration in defence, security and foreign affairs.

Besides, economic, trade and investment cooperation continues to witness positive changes. Vietnam currently has 245 investment projects in Laos with a total registered capital of $5.47 billion, ranking the 3rd among countries and territories investing in Laos. Total bilateral trade turnover in 2023 is estimated at more than $1.5 billion. Cooperation in other fields such as education - training, culture, science and technology, tourism and people-to-people exchanges is constantly strengthened.

Regarding future cooperation directions, the two PMs agreed to increase the exchange of high-level visits and contacts. PM Chinh proposed both governments concretise and effectively implement the agreement between the Politbureaus of Vietnam and Laos and outcomes of the meeting between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the LPRP and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Hun Sen.

The Vietnamese Government leader also suggested well implementing agreements between the two governments, including the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Strategy Agreement for the 2021 - 2030 period, the Vietnam - Laos Bilateral Cooperation Agreement for the 2021 - 2025 period and the agreement on Vietnam - Laos cooperation plan for 2024.

The two PMs consented to continue improving the effectiveness of defence and security cooperation to effectively address new challenges; strengthen border management and protection, and transnational crime prevention and combat, especially drug crimes; continue to coordinate and support the search and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in Laos.

The two sides will strengthen the connectivity between their two economies, especially in institutions, finance, transport infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and tourism; continue to promote Vientiane - Hanoi expressway and Vientiane - Vung Ang railway projects and other key cooperation projects; support each other to build independent, self-reliant economies, associated with extensive, effective, and practical international integration.

They will also strengthen tripartite cooperation between Vietnam, Laos and an appropriate development partner to attract more resources for collaboration projects; work together to review and completely resolve difficulties and obstacles, creating a favourable investment and business environment for Vietnamese enterprises operating in Laos; effectively implement protocols and cooperation projects in education and human resources development; promote cooperation in health, culture, arts and sports; promote communciations and education about the tradition of the special relations between Vietnam and Laos for all walks of life, especially the young generation of the two countries.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two Prime Ministers emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability in the region, including maintaining ASEAN's solidarity, common stance and centrality in regional security and strategic issues, such as the East Sea issue. They also agreed to continue to coordinate closely and support each other at regional and international forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, and Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms, and boost close cooperation between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

After the talks, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of four cooperation documents, including a protocol on border guard cooperation between the defence ministries of Vietnam and Laos, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation plan between the Government Office of Vietnam and the Lao Prime Minister’s Office, a MoU on development and connectivity of border trade infrastructure between the Governments of Vietnam and Laos, and a cooperation plan for 2024 between the Ministry of Education and Training and Laos’ Ministry of Education and Sports.