Lao, Vietnamese govts sign 10 agreements to boost bilateral ties

Laos and Vietnam are stepping up cooperation in various fields ranging from politics to economics and socio-cultural ties after successfully celebrating Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022.
Ten agreements on future cooperation (mostly in the form of memorandums of understanding) were signed by the two governments in Vientiane on Wednesday. 

PM Dr Sonexay Siphandone (left) and PM Pham Minh Chinh inspect a guard of honour during the official welcoming ceremony in Vientiane.          --Photo Sangkhomsay Phoubphanouvong

The signings were witnessed by Prime Minister Dr Sonexay Siphandone and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh, who is paying an official visit to Laos and co-chairing the 45th meeting of the Laos-Vietnam Intergovernmental Committee on January 11-12, in response to an invitation from Dr Sonexay.
This is the first official visit to Laos by premier Chinh and his first overseas trip this year. PM Chinh is also the first foreign leader to visit Laos since PM Sonexay Siphandone took office late last month.
The 10 cooperation agreements concern the creation of a mechanism for discussing economic diplomacy; training for diplomats and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; mutual legal assistance in civil matters; digital partnership; human resource development; an education and sports plan for 2023; support in the health sector; the establishment of friendly relations between Champassak province in Laos and Quang Tri in Vietnam; financial innovation and payment systems; and cooperation in transport.
During their talks, two governments agreed to work closely to push for greater cooperation in all fields, notably political cooperation, defence and public security, foreign affairs, economics and trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, tourism, energy, clean agriculture, education, health, culture, and science and technology.
The two sides agreed to further educate their state officials and young people regarding the tradition of special solidarity and great friendship between the two countries.
Dr Sonexay thanked the government and people of Vietnam for assisting Laos over past years.
Also on Wednesday, the two premiers attended a ceremony to wrap up Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022.
Last year, Laos and Vietnam organised numerous events to mark the 60th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962-2022) and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977-2022).
The two sides spoke highly of the success of these events to mark Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year, which was launched in Hanoi last January.
The Friendship and Solidarity Year involved reciprocal visits by 115 government delegations, with 51 Lao delegations visiting Vietnam and 64 Vietnamese delegations visiting Laos.
The two sides also organised activities concerning trade and investment, cultural exchanges, photo exhibitions, and festivals.
In addition, a number of articles on Lao-Vietnamese relations were published in the media while a competition involving songs and written articles was held to further promote Lao-Vietnamese relations.
During his visit, PM Chinh called on President Thongloun Sisoulith and also met with National Assembly President Mr Xaysomphone Phomvihane to further discuss areas of cooperation.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 12, 2023)