General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong and his Lao counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith held talks in Vientiane on February 24 (Photo: VNA)

During talks held after the official welcome ceremony, the two leaders agreed to strengthen the Vietnam-Lao comprehensive cooperation on the basis of promoting national independence, self-reliance, strength, and capability of each country on the principle of equality and mutual benefit. The two countries agreed to give each other appropriate priorities based on the nature of their special ties. The two pledged to strengthen bilateral ties in all aspects, maintain high-level visits, share experience in socio-economic development, and expand foreign relations and international integrations. They vowed to further bilateral cooperation in national defense and security, maintain political stability, order and safety in each countries, and promote a stable and sustainable border. The two leaders highlighted their shared views on regional and global issues and agreed to work closely at regional and global forum, especially within ASEAN, the UN, and the Sub-regional Mekong cooperation mechanisms. They stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and safety in the East Sea, supported ASEAN’s role, and agreed to settle disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means in line with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and soon finalize the Code of Conduct in the East Sea. To mark the occasion, Mr. Trong thanked Laos for supporting Vietnam’s bid to become a Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure and ASEAN Chair in 2020.

After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of 9 cooperative agreements between the two countries.