(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam always stands side by side and stays ready to help Laos, within its ability, to push back the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told President of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane during their meeting in Hanoi on Monday.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) meets President of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane in Hanoi on December 6, 2021. |
Both leaders praised the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries which have been increasingly strengthened in all areas, from politics, diplomacy, national defence-security, to economy, trade, culture, and education.
Despite COVID-19, two-way trade surpassed 1 billion USD in the first ten months of 2021, up over 30% from the same period last year.
The leaders agreed to effectively carry out high-level agreements and prepare for the upcoming 44th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, continue working closely together to fight COVID-19, strengthen national defence-security collaboration, step up economic, trade and investment ties as well as accelerating infrastructure projects such as the Hanoi-Vientiane expressway and Vung Ang 1, 2, 3 seaports.
They pledged to continue supporting each other at multilateral forums, especially in issues regarding each country’s security and development, as well as peace, stability and cooperation in the region, including the sustainable use and management of water sources in Mekong River, and the East Sea issue.