HÀ NỘI – Việt Nam and Laos signed a series of vital agreements yesterday, pledging to boost co-operation between the two governments and countries.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith--who co-chaired the 39th meeting of the Việt Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee in Hà Nội yesterday--witnessed the signing of four documents: a co-operation plan between the two Governments in 2017; the minutes of the 39th meeting of the Việt Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee; a co-operation plan between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports; and the minutes for the establishment of a Việt Nam-Laos 500 kV electricity transmissions line joint venture.   

This was the first time the PMs of the two countries had co-chaired an Inter-Governmental Committee meeting, demonstrating the two governments’ commitment to effectively implementing their co-operation plan.

At the meeting, PM Phúc stressed that the two sides agreed to realise declarations and agreements of the two Politburos; beef up political and diplomatic relations, national security, investment and trade to a new heights; strive for a 10 per cent two-way trade growth in 2017.

Both sides agreed to co-operate in training human resources, develop transport infrastructure projects and manage water and natural resource in a sustainable manner.

The two countries have already determined orientations to successfully organise the Việt Nam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year, celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

They also pledged to support and work together at regional and international forums.  

PM Phúc pledged to direct ministries, agencies, and localities to work with Lao partners to enforce commitments at the meeting and create the best ways for businesses to boost operations in Laos.  

Last year, both sides effectively implemented fruitful agreements in many areas, especially concerning stronger co-operation in politics, diplomacy, national defense and security, socio-economic development, culture and people-to-people relations.

In the field of education co-operation, more than 14,000 Lao students and pupils are currently studying in Việt Nam.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese investors poured around US$3.7 billion of capital into the neighbouring country via more than 400 projects.

The Vietnamese PM believes that the meeting will generate new momentum for the bilateral ties to take a practical course, contributing to the traditional, especially comprehensive ties.

In reply, PM Thongloun Sisoulith highlighted the significance of 2017 and promised to enforce the four documents soon.

Speaking at a press conference immediately following the meeting, the two prime ministers announced the outcomes of their meeting, calling it remarkably successful.

The meeting, with the participation of nearly 30 ministries from different sectors, played an important role in solidifying the high level agreements reached by two governments and helped support local authorities and business enterprises in implementing their 2017 work plans, PM Phúc said.

The visit made by the Lao PM was the first by a foreign government leader since the beginning of the Lunar New Year.

“Việt Nam and Laos enjoy a unique relationship in the world,” said Phúc, adding that Việt Nam will always support Laos in its national development and offer joint coordination at international and regional forums.

Presidential praise

President Trần Đại Quang has hailed the outcomes of the 39th meeting of the Việt Nam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, saying that plans agreed at the meeting are important to accelerating the implementation of high-level agreements.
Receiving Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in Hà Nội yesterday, the President asked the PMs of the two countries to direct ministries, agencies and localities to realise the outcomes of the 39th meeting.
President Quang called for increasing connectivity between the two economies to lift two-way trade, partly by prioritising energy and transport projects, dealing with barriers and providing support for Vietnamese investors in Laos.
He proposed co-ordination between Việt Nam and Laos to celebrate the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation this year, as well as offering mutual support in regional and global forums.

Legislative pledge

Also yesterday, National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân said the Vietnamese NA would work closely with its Lao counterpart to create optimal conditions for the two governments to effectively implement Việt Nam-Laos high-level agreements and cooperation pacts while receiving Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith in Hà Nội.
Ngân said the Vietnamese NA will also facilitate the implementation of investment and trade cooperation projects between the two nations as well as the contents reached by the two prime ministers at the meeting.
The top legislator informed her guest about the effective cooperation between the two legislatures over recent years, stressing that the two bodies will coordinate closely to successfully organise celebrations for the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Việt Nam-Laos Amity and Cooperation Treaty.
For his part, PM Sisoulith thanked Việt Nam for its great and effective support and assistance to Laos over past years.
The Lao PM also expressed his wish that the Vietnamese NA will support the deployment of agreements signed between the two nations in order to elevate bilateral socio-economic cooperation to be on a par with political relations between the two Parties and States. VNS