Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and  Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in Hà Nội on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — On the occasion of the official visit to Việt Nam by Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith from October 1-3, the two countries have issued a joint statement on enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between Việt Nam and Laos.

The joint statement said during the visit, PM Thongloun Sisoulith held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary, President Nguyễn Phú Trọng, and met with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân. The two PMs witnessed the signing of eight co-operative documents. 

According to the joint statement, leaders of the two countries exchanged information on the socio-economic development and external relations of their respective countries, and discussed in depth directions and measures to strengthen and enhance the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries. 

The two sides said they would continue to work closely together and support each other in the cause of national defence and development, both in a bilateral framework and at regional and international forums. 

In the context of major fluctuations and challenges in an international and regional context, the two sides emphasized the vital importance of Việt Nam-Laos relations which they considered the motive power of the revolutionary cause of each country.  

On this foundation, the two sides agreed to maintain the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels and through all channels in a more streamlined, effective and substantive manner, with emphasis on the sharing of experience and seeking solutions to difficulties and obstacles. 

They again underlined the importance of close co-operation in national defence and security, and support firms from countries to counter increasingly diverse and complicated security and defence challenges. They reached a consensus on co-ordination to implement treaties and bilateral agreements on border and territory. 

The two sides agreed to continue promoting and enhancing the effectiveness of economic, cultural and scientific-technological co-operation on the basis of bringing into full play each country’s strengths and potential. 

They highly valued positive changes to bilateral trade relations, and agreed to make joint efforts to further expand the ties towards a stable annual growth rate of 10-15 per cent in trade value. 

The two sides focused on co-operation in education-training and human resources development, agreeing to continue co-ordinating for the effective implementation of co-operation agreements in this area. 

They agreed to co-ordinate to promote co-operation in the framework of the Cambodia-Laos-Việt Nam development triangle and effectively carry out the Action Plan for Cambodia-Laos-Việt Nam Economic Connectivity up to 2030 which was adopted at the 10th CLV Summit in Hà Nội in March last year.    

The two sides agreed to share information in a timely manner and closely co-ordinate with each other and related countries and international organisations for the management and sustainable use of the Mekong River for the common interests of people in the sub-region. They agreed to continue their effective co-ordination and mutual support at regional and international mechanisms, especially ASEAN, the UN, WTO, ASEM, the Non-Alignment Movement and Mekong sub-region co-operative mechanisms, including the Mekong River Commission. 

They affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, the rule of law, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and of settling disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They reiterated ASEAN’s principled stance on the East Sea which was expressed in recent statements of the grouping, especially the Joint Communiqué of the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bangkok in July.  

PM Thongloun Sisoulith invited PM Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his spouse to make an official visit to Laos at a convenient time. PM Phúc accepted the invitation with pleasure. — VNS