Laos, Vietnam ink deals to broaden cooperation

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc have agreed to work together to enhance the traditional friendly relations, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
They agreed to further cement ties during the ongoing three-day official visit to Vietnam (October 1-3) by Mr Thongloun, his spouse and delegation at the invitation of Mr Phuc, according to a joint statement issued after their talks.

The heads of the two governments reaffirmed that they would work shoulder to shoulder to extend mutual support for the development and safeguarding of their respective countries through bilateral frameworks as well as on the regional and international stage.
Following their talks, the two premiers witnessed the signing of eight agreements aimed at broadening cooperation.
The documents included a sub-agreement to amend an agreement on the construction of the Lao National Assembly building funded by the government of Vietnam, and a cooperation agreement on economics, culture, education, science, and technology between Laos and Vietnam for 2021-2025 and 2021-2030.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) indicated that Vietnam would provide a loan to build a road linking Thitpheung Mountain in Luang Prabang province to the Vietnamese border at Dien Bien province. A cooperation agreement on education and human resource development and an MOU on aviation development were also signed.
The two premiers also agreed to arrange reciprocal visits by leaders and delegations of all levels from both sides and to teach the younger generation to cherish the traditional friendly relations, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.   
Both sides reached consensus on working together to realise cooperation agreements previously signed by their leaders.
These included agreements made during the official state visit to Laos by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Nguyen Phu Trong in February, as well as those made at the 41st meeting of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Commission held in Hanoi in February.
The leaders were in agreement on the need to improve all cooperation mechanisms, and to encourage ministries and local authorities of both sides to broaden their cooperation and extend mutual assistance for socio-economic development, security, and the maintenance of stability.  
In addition, they agreed to continue to promote and increase the efficiency of bilateral cooperation with regard to economics, culture, science and technology by maximising untapped potential as well as facilitating their businesses to operate in one another’s countries.
Both sides agreed to accelerate meetings to review the effectiveness of the one-stop-shop model at the Dansavan-Laobao international border as well as review progress in resolving the undocumented resettlement and marriage of people living in border areas.
Talks also agreed to push for growing two-way trade by about 10-15 percent annually. Last year, two-way trade between the two countries was valued at about US$1 billion.
The leaders also promised to create conditions that enabled citizens living in one another’s countries to make a living and study legally.
They also reaffirmed the need for connectivity with priority given to transport connectivity along the east-west economic corridor.
The prime ministers reached consensus on pushing for cooperation through Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam triangle development frameworks.
They also committed to work with other Asean member countries to build and strengthen the Asean community and promote Asean centrality in shaping regional architecture.
Laos affirmed its support and coordination to be extended to Vietnam in its roles as Asean Chair in 2020 and as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 term.
The two sides agreed to closely coordinate with the relevant countries to progress negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership so that it is largely completed by the end of this year. The leaders underlined the need to maintain peace, stability, security, and respect for the law to ensure free and safe navigation and flight over the South China Sea. Any dispute that may occur in the South China Sea should be addressed in a peaceful manner in line with international laws.
The meeting highly valued the fruitful outcomes of the official visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister Thongloun, which helped to strengthen the traditional friendly relations, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
The leaders congratulated each other on the achievements made in socio-economic development by their respective countries.
Mr Thongloun expressed heartfelt thanks for the warm hospitality extended to himself and his delegation.
He and his delegation called on the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Nguyen Phu Trong, and the President of the National Assembly of Vietnam Ms Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. Mr Thongloun conveyed greetings from Party Secretary General and President Bounnhang Vorachit, and the President of the National Assembly of Laos, Mrs Pany Yathotou, to Mr Nguyen Phu Trong and Ms Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
He invited Prime Minister Phuc and his wife to pay an official visit to Laos at their convenience, and Mr Phuc accepted the invitation.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update October 3, 2019)