(VOVworld) - Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and a government delegation arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. The two leaders will co-chair the 39th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Wednesday. Thu Hoa reports.
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| Prime MInister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith met on the sidelines of the 9th summit of the Cambodia-Lao-Vietnam Triangle Development area (Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu) |
At the meeting, Vietnam and Laos will confirm their policy of constantly developing the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation. This will be the first meeting chaired by the two Prime Ministers to implement agreements reached at the January 7 meeting between the Politburos of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.
Special traditional relations
The two neighbors have a long and close bond and proven loyalty between their Parties, States, and peoples. They fought side by side and sacrificed for each other in their struggles for national independence and freedom. Under the leadership of the Indochinese Communist Party, now the Communist Party of Vietnam, and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the two peoples shared joys and sorrows to reach the final victory of national liberation. Inheriting the fruits of this special relationship, Vietnam and Laos have over the past 30 years of national renewal made their ties flourish, contributing to each other’s national construction and defense and to regional peace, stability, and development.
Constantly-nurtured friendship
The two countries conduct regular contacts and exchanges of visits. Last year, as many as 350 delegations, including 130 deputy-minister level delegations, visited the other country. Last November, Vietnamese Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong paid an official visit to Laos. Political trust has been consolidated, with both sides reaching close consensus at regional and global forums. Vietnam supported Laos’ successful presidency of ASEAN and its hosting of the ASEAN Summit last year. The two have collaborated with each other in defense and security, building a stable border, and fighting trans-national crimes.
Economic and trade ties have made progress. Vietnamese businesses’ investment capital registered in Laos tops 5.1 billion USD, third among foreign investors in Laos. Many Vietnamese investment projects have effectively contributed to economic development, generated jobs, and improved social welfare in Laos.
Relations between ministries, sectors, National Assembly Committees, social organizations, and localities have been fruitful. Vietnamese localities helped Lao localities in infrastructure construction, healthcare, and human resource development.
The upcoming Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee meeting will increase political trust and direct implementation of high-level agreements to boost cooperation.