VIENTIANE: The governments of Laos and Vietnam have agreed to cement ties and signed 11 cooperation documents when the prime ministers of the two countries met for talks in Vientiane.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and his delegation arrived in Vientiane on Thursday (Oct 8) for a two-day official visit at the invitation of his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith.
Shortly after an official welcome ceremony, the two leaders held talks to enhance ties. After the discussion, both sides signed cooperation agreements covering infrastructure, digital systems, cybersecurity, education, finance, investment, and local cooperation.
The two premiers witnessed the exchange of signed documents.
This is PM Le Minh Hung’s first official bilateral foreign visit since his election as the Prime Minister of Vietnam, according to the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Among the signed agreements, one covers the construction of a “friendship” road along the Laos-Vietnam border.
The two sides also exchanged the minutes of the handover of the civil data system and identity cards in Laos, while also signing an agreement on cybersecurity cooperation.
Education and human resource development were also included, with the two sides signing an agreement on the construction of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship University.
The two governments also agreed on a 2027 cooperation plan between their Ministries of Justice and signed an agreement on cooperation between their Ministries of Finance.
Investment and energy cooperation were covered by a memorandum on an investment project to build Laos-Vietnam oil supply infrastructure.
Another agreement covers cooperation in ethnic and religious affairs.
At the provincial and city level, the Vientiane provincial administration and Hai Phong city signed a memorandum of cooperation for 2026-2030.
The Oudomxay provincial administration also signed memorandums of cooperation for 2026-2030 with Hai Phong city and the Ninh Binh provincial administration.
The two prime ministers expressed satisfaction with the continued development of bilateral cooperation, particularly in political and foreign affairs.
They noted that relations between the two countries remain characterised by mutual trust and close cooperation, with regular exchanges of delegations from the central to local levels.
The two sides also highlighted progress in national defence and public security, education and human resource development, economic affairs, trade and investment, technology, culture, and social affairs.
The two prime ministers agreed to deepen political and foreign affairs cooperation and put into practice agreements reached by the two Politburos and the outcomes of the 48th meeting of the Laos-Vietnam Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation.
They also agreed to strengthen ties in national defence and public security and to encourage and facilitate investment by Vietnamese enterprises in sectors and fields where Laos has potential.
Further strengthening the links between Laos and Vietnam, it was agreed to accelerate the implementation of key cooperation projects, including the Hanoi-Vientiane Expressway, the Vung Ang sea port, a railway, and an oil pipeline.
Prime Minister Saleumxay stressed the importance of translating the agreements reached by the two Politburos and the outcomes of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee into concrete results that bring genuine and maximum benefits to the peoples of both countries.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung thanked his Lao counterpart for the warm welcome and congratulated Mr Saleumxay on his recent election as Lao Prime Minister.
He invited Prime Minister Saleumxay to pay an official visit to Vietnam at a convenient time.
Looking ahead, the two countries will prepare for a meeting between their two Politburos and the 49th meeting of the Laos-Vietnam Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, both scheduled for early 2027.
The two sides will also prepare for Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2027, which will mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Laos-Vietnam Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
The two countries agreed to carry out these planned activities in concrete forms and with historic significance, while continuing to support each other at regional and international forums.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung also paid a courtesy call on the Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos, Mr Thongloun Sisoulith, on the evening of October 8.
President Thongloun warmly welcomed Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, noting that the visit was his first official trip abroad since his election as prime minister.
The two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation, including national defence and public security, economic affairs, trade and investment links, education, and efforts to strengthen understanding of the special Laos-Vietnam relationship.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung briefed President Thongloun on the outcomes of his talks with Prime Minister Saleumxay and affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to working closely with Laos to advance agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders, including strategic cooperation projects. - Vientiane Times/ANN
