Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh receives Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Khang

HÀ NỘI – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh and Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith vowed to reinforce co-operation and solidarity between both ministries and nations during talks yesterday.

Reviewing bilateral ties across the board, the host and guest expressed their pleasure at the achievement of major goals in the Việt Nam-Laos economic, cultural and scientific and technological co-operation strategy between 2011 and 2020.

They agreed to continue facilitating the exchange of all-level visits in various forms, co-ordinate to implement the outcomes of talks between the two countries’ leaders and the 38^th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Viet Nam-Laos Co-operation between 2016 and 2020.

Both sides pledged to implement the protocol on the border and border markers, and the agreement on border and border gate management signed in March 2016, while continuing with joint work to settle issues of free migration and unregistered marriages for a border of peace, stability, co-operation and development.

Deputy PM Minh asked the Lao government to continue providing all possible support for Vietnamese nationals living in the country.

He also wished that Laos would consider tax reductions for Vietnamese merchants who suffered losses in the fire at the Dao Huong market in Champasak province in May.

The host and guest agreed on thorough preparations for celebrating the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962 to 2017) and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Viet Nam-Laos Amity and Cooperation Treaty (July 18, 1977 to 2017).

They promised to continue close co-ordination to ensure ASEAN solidarity and maintain the bloc’s common stance on regional and global affairs, including the East Sea issue, contributing to peace, stability, maritime and aviation security and safety.

Việt Nam and Laos will work for the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with widely-accepted principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the full and effective observance of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, towards the early formulation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

The Vietnamese Deputy PM thanked Laos for discharging water from hydropower dams in Mekong River tributaries and assisting Viet Nam in recovering from impacts of prolonged drought and salt water intrusion in the south.

The two sides will work closely together and with other countries and international organisations for the sustainable and effective management and use of Mekong River water resources. – VNS