Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính meets Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh in Phnom Penh on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo

PHNOM PENH — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính held talks with Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh in Phnom Penh on Thursday.

During the discussions, held on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related meetings, PM Chính briefed his Lao counterpart on the situation in Việt Nam, underlining that despite difficulties and challenges, especially those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, important socio-economic achievements have been recorded in many fields so far this year.

He expressed his delight at the rise of 29 per cent in two-way trade to US$1.22 billion in the first nine months of 2022.

The Vietnamese PM congratulated Laos on overcoming the hardest times of the pandemic, expressing his belief that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the Government and people of Laos will successfully implement the five-year socio-economic development plan and the Resolution of the 21st LPRP National Congress.

Lao PM Phankham Viphavanh hailed Việt Nam’s achievements in the pandemic fight as well as socio-economic recovery and development and international integration. He thanked Việt Nam for its effective cooperation and support in the pandemic fight, socio-economic development and human resources training.

The two PMs shared their pleasure at the mutual support that the two countries have given to each other over the years, as well as the coordination in successfully organising activities of the Việt Nam – Laos, Laos – Việt Nam Friendship and Solidarity Year of 2022, and celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations, and 45 years of the Việt Nam – Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

They showed delight at the growth of the bilateral ties in recent years, especially in politics-diplomacy, security-defence, trade and investment, and affirmed that they will give top priority to the preservation, reinforcement and development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, making it deeper and more effective, benefiting the two peoples.

They agreed to continue to effectively realise high-level agreements and outcomes of meetings of the Việt Nam – Laos Inter-Governmental Committee as well as cooperation programmes between ministries, sectors and localities of Việt Nam and Laos, while working together to prepare for and implement delegation exchanges and important bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the 45th meeting of the Việt Nam – Laos Inter-Governmental Committee and the closing of the Việt Nam – Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

They also concurred to thoroughly remove existing obstacles and problems to speed up major joint projects such as Vũng Áng Port, Nongkhang airport, and other projects on transport connectivity, education-training, human resources, culture and health care.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two agreed to continue to coordinate closely with each other and consult each other at multilateral forums in the region and the world, especially the ASEAN, the UN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, contributing to fostering solidarity, unity and the central role of the ASEAN amid challenges in the new situation. — VNS