President To Lam meets with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng

VIENTIANE — President Tô Lâm had a meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on Thursday morning in Vientiane, as part of his ongoing state visit to the country.  

The Lao leader stressed that the great and comprehensive achievements attained by the Vietnamese Party, State and people continue to be a significant source of encouragement for Laos in its endeavours in national defence, construction and development.

The Vietnamese state leader expressed his delight at the significant achievements that the Lao Party, State and people have recorded in recent times, showing his belief that Laos will overcome current challenges and successfully implement the Resolution of the 11th Party Congress and the 9th socio-economic development plan for the 2021-25 period.

The two sides expressed joy and welcomed achievements in the bilateral cooperation across all fields and agreed to focus on implementing high-level cooperation agreements between the two countries, especially the Việt Nam-Laos Bilateral Trade Agreement, and the Việt Nam-Laos cooperation strategy agreement for the 2021-30 period.

The two countries will continue to hold visits and meetings at all levels, positively seek solutions to difficulties and challenges, enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and closely coordinate on strategic issues related to each country's security and development. 

Host and guest agreed to continue effectively implementing protocols and defence and security cooperation plans signed, to work closely to identify breakthrough measures to mobilise resources for economic cooperation between the two countries, towards realising the target of 10-15 per cent growth in two-way trade in 2024.

They highly valued the completion of several exemplary cooperation projects and agreed to exert efforts to accelerate the development of other key projects in energy, mining, and infrastructure connectivity.

The leaders also underlined the need to create favourable and transparent environment for investment cooperation. And to promote collaboration in education – training, science and digital transformation and cooperation between localities of the two countries, especially border ones.

Siphandone affirmed his commitment to vigorously implementing high-level agreements between the two countries, particularly in economic cooperation, to bring more tangible benefits to the two nations. 

President Tô Lâm and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on July 11. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng

The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues, agreeing that with a rapidly changing and complex global situation, it is necessary to enhance coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN and  Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

President Lâm emphasised Việt Nam's readiness to continue supporting Laos in successfully assuming the role of the ASEAN Chair and the President of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2024, thus contributing to improving Laos's role and position in the region and the world at large. — VNS