Vietnam and Laos on Sunday signed 17 cooperative agreements at the end of the 43rd session of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee.

At the session co-chaired by Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the two sides agreed on orientations for bilateral cooperation next year and in the next five and ten years and further focus on realizing bilateral agreements including an Agreement on Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Plan in 2021 and other related agreements.

The two sides worked out several measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in politics, diplomacy, national defense, security, education, training, transportation, infrastructure and telecommunication. They will encourage further cooperation and mutual support between ministries, agencies, localities, businesses, and peoples of the two countries and mobilize resources for their bilateral cooperation programs.

They pledge to work closely and support each other at regional and international forums, especially within ASEAN, the Mekong Sub-region cooperation mechanism and at the UN. The two countries will enhance consultation and mutual support to improve their international status and national self-reliance, especially in strategic and security issues in the region including the East Sea and the Mekong region and work with other ASEAN members to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthen ASEAN centrality, and accelerate the building of the ASEAN Community.

At the end of the meeting, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of 17 cooperative agreements and MoU between their ministries including an Agreement on Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Plan in 2021, a Protocol on the implementation of the Agreement on Cooperation in Port Development Investment, and some cooperative agreements in education and energy.