Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone had talks in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

LABUAN BAJO — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính met with Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone on Wednesday morning on the sidelines of the ongoing 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

PM Sonexay Siphandone expressed his delight at meeting his Vietnamese counterpart again and highly valued the successful visits to Laos by Vietnamese President Võ Văn Thưởng and PM Chính.

He noted that he hopes the two sides will continue increasing high-level mutual visits and meetings.

Thanking Việt Nam for its effective support for and cooperation with Laos in socio-economic development, the Lao leader described the inauguration of the Vietnam-invested Nong Khang Airport in his country’s Houaphanh province and the friendship hospital in Xiengkhouang province this May as a demonstration of the solidarity and friendship between the two Parties and the two Governments.

Both PMs agreed that Việt Nam and Laos would coordinate to carry out high-level agreements and bilateral cooperation mechanisms, elevate cooperation, promote economic connectivity and integration, and assist each other with socio-economic development.

The two Governments are determined to tackle roadblocks to step up key projects, improve the countries’ investment climate, effectively implement the agreements and results obtained during PM Chính's official visit to Laos and co-chairmanship of the 45th meeting of the Việt Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, they added.

PM Chính reaffirmed Việt Nam's strongest support and assistance for Laos to hold the 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship successfully.

Meanwhile, the Lao PM also pledged that his country is ready to advocate Việt Nam's candidacy for membership in United Nations agencies and international organisations.

PM Chinh invited his counterpart to visit Việt Nam this year. VNS