Vietnamese and Lao Parties' high-level meeting to promote cooperation, strategic cohesion
WVR - On the afternoon of December 2, within the framework of General Secretary To Lam's state visit to Laos, a high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party took place in the capital Vientiane, co-chaired by General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith.
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| General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith co-chaired the high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
This is the highest cooperation mechanism with special significance, playing a guiding role in strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic connection between Vietnam and Laos. It aims to deepen relations, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries, contributing to regional and global peace, security, and prosperity.
At the meeting, General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith informed each other about the situation of each Party and country; assessed the main, outstanding cooperation results between the two Parties and countries in recent times; discussed mechanisms to create breakthroughs in bilateral cooperation in the new context; and shared insights on global and regional issues of mutual concern.
General Secretary To Lam congratulated the Lao Party and State on the successful organization of the 50th National Day celebrations witnessed by a large number of citizens and international friends. He emphasized that Vietnam always prioritizes developing Vietnam-Laos relations as a top foreign policy priority. Thanking General Secretary To Lam for leading the high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the 50th National Day of Laos, General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith highlighted that the participation of Vietnam's high-ranking leaders added significance to this year's National Day celebrations in Laos.
The two leaders highly appreciated the significant, comprehensive, and historically meaningful achievements that the two Parties, States, and peoples have attained, especially in implementing the Congress Resolutions and preparing for the upcoming Party Congress in each country. They expressed gratitude for the sincere and meaningful support that the two Parties, countries, and peoples have extended to each other over the years, affirming the importance of the special Vietnam-Laos relationship amid the rapidly changing and complex regional and international situation.
The leaders expressed joy over the deep, effective, and substantive developments in Vietnam-Laos cooperation. Reflecting on the significant cooperation results over the past year, General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith emphasized that both sides have successfully implemented the high-level agreements between the two Parties and States. Ministries, sectors, and localities from central to local levels, as well as enterprises from both countries, have proactively and effectively implemented cooperation memorandums between the two Parties, States, and Governments. The close political relationship continues to be a solid foundation, driving cooperation in all fields.
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| General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith informed each other about the situation of each Party and country; assessed the main, outstanding cooperation results between the two Parties and countries in recent times. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Both sides highly valued the increasingly close and effective defense-security cooperation, affirming it as a crucial pillar in bilateral relations. They coordinated the successful implementation of many projects, supporting Laos in enhancing its defense-security capabilities and effectively implementing quality cooperation plans and programs. They also excelled in the search, gathering, and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed in Laos. Both sides strengthened coordination with Cambodia to implement the outcomes of the meeting between the three party leaders, achieving consensus on long-term development directions, prioritizing the strategic, close-knit relationship among the three countries. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation has been actively promoted, showing positive changes.
In recent times, the leaders of both countries have closely directed the timely implementation of key cooperation projects, contributing to improving the quality of life for the people of both nations. Cultural, educational, and scientific-technical fields continue to receive attention and promotion, achieving practical results. Cooperation between the Party committees, government ministries, and agencies continues to be strengthened, enhancing people-to-people exchanges between central and local organizations.
The leaders of the two Parties and States assessed that comprehensive cooperation between the two countries has significantly contributed to socio-economic development, strengthening defense-security, and maintaining political stability and social order in each country. In the context of regional and global fluctuations, the two leaders affirmed their commitment to further deepen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic connection between Vietnam and Laos through existing practical and effective cooperation mechanisms. They agreed to establish and organize new mechanisms as agreed upon by the high-level leaders of both countries, thereby positively contributing to achieving each country's development goals.
Both sides affirmed their commitment to continue deepening the relationship between the two Parties and countries, considering it a core pillar guiding the overall strategic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. They reaffirmed the consistent policy of both Parties and States to always stand side by side, supporting and assisting each other in the cause of renewal, construction, development, and national defense. They identified the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam relationship as a top priority in each country's foreign policy, serving as an exemplary, long-term strategic relationship and a decisive factor in the success of each country's revolutionary cause.
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| Delegates take a group photo. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Both sides affirmed their commitment to closely coordinate on strategic issues related to security and development, while preparing to successfully organize the national congresses of each Party. The two leaders emphasized and affirmed the strategic importance of further strengthening the pillars of defense, security, and foreign affairs cooperation to maintain political stability, security, and social order, considering it one of the important pillars of the special Vietnam-Laos relationship.
Both sides affirmed their commitment to maximize the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms while continuing to innovate and enhance coordination quality in all fields. On this basis, the two countries will consider building new, suitable cooperation mechanisms to further strengthen the special Vietnam-Laos solidarity, bringing tangible benefits to the people of each country and contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. The leaders also agreed to continue timely information exchange, consult positions, closely coordinate, and support each other at international and regional forums.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone highly appreciated the achievements in economic, trade, investment, cultural-education, and scientific-technical cooperation between the two countries in recent times. Regarding the economy, both sides agreed to promote trade and investment cooperation, considering it a crucial pillar of the Vietnam-Laos strategic connection. The two countries will effectively implement joint statements, high-level agreements, and cooperation programs between ministries, sectors, and localities; enhance connectivity and complementarity between the two economies; actively address difficulties and obstacles during implementation.
Both sides also exchanged various orientations and specific measures to enhance the effectiveness of economic and trade cooperation in the coming period, particularly emphasizing the need to create strong, breakthrough changes in economic, trade, and investment cooperation, making this field a strategic pillar, commensurate with the political relationship and potential of each country. Both sides agreed to boost bilateral trade growth to soon reach the target of 5 billion USD and aim for 10 billion USD in the near future; prioritize resolving existing issues, enhancing connectivity, focusing resources on implementing key infrastructure connectivity projects such as the Hanoi-Vientiane expressway project, promoting the implementation of the Vietnam-Laos Industrial Park model, and cross-border economic zones along the East-West economic corridor; build an investment, business, and infrastructure environment to facilitate sustainable development of enterprises from both countries, enhancing mutual support between the Vietnamese and Lao economies.
Additionally, Vietnam and Laos will expand cooperation between Party, State, Front, mass organizations, and people's organizations; enhance coordination and mutual support in socio-economic development, as well as ensure security and stability in border areas, contributing to strengthening the special relationship between the two countries.
