Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính left Vientiane, ending his visit to Laos and co-chairing the 47th Meeting of the Việt Nam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived in Hà Nội on January 10 evening, concluding their two-day trip to visit Laos and co-chair the 47th meeting of the Việt Nam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee for Bilateral Cooperation at the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

During the working trip, PM Chính engaged in nearly 20 activities, covering a diverse range of topics. He held meetings and discussions with all the highest-ranking leaders of the Lao Party, State, and National Assembly, and visited former senior leaders of Laos.

Notably, PM Chính and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone co-chaired two significant events - the 47th meeting of the Việt Nam -Laos Intergovernmental Committee for Bilateral Cooperation and the Việt Nam -Laos Investment Cooperation Conference.

The two PMs also attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Laos- Việt Nam Friendship Park in Vientiane, a gift from the Party, State, and people of Việt Nam to their Lao peers.

Both sides agreed on new policies, approaches, mindsets and methods as well as greater determination and more effective measures to boost the cooperation between Việt Nam and Laos in the coming time.

In addition to strengthening political and diplomatic cooperation, enhancing security and defence collaboration, and promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges, the two sides committed to raising bilateral trade to US$5 billion in a more balanced manner, instead of the current figure of just over $2.2 billion, with Laos enjoying a trade surplus.

Both sides are also determined to resolve pending issues and projects, paving the way for the two countries to enter a new phase of more practical and effective development, especially in transportation connectivity projects. They also aim to address challenges for businesses to operate smoothly, effectively, and sustainably in both countries.

During the visit, the two countries signed four cooperation documents and handed over seven investment certificates to businesses.

Companies from both sides inked six investment cooperation agreements, totaling billions of dollars, in sectors such as aviation, finance, energy, agriculture, and human resources training.

The two sides announced a framework for domestic currency payment and bilateral retail payment connection using QR codes between Việt Nam and Laos, facilitating transactions for businesses and citizens in economic, trade, investment, and tourism activities.

The PM’s visit effectively implemented the foreign affairs tasks outlined at the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, as well as high-level agreements between Việt Nam and Laos, particularly those reached at their Politburo meeting in September 2024. — VNS