Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc hosts a reception for the newly-accredited ambassador of Laos, Sengphet Houngboungnuang, in Hà Nội on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Monday hosted a reception for the newly-accredited ambassador of Laos, Sengphet Houngboungnuang.

The PM expressed his hope that the ambassador would fulfill his tasks in Việt Nam and serve as a bridge that contributed to consolidating and developing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries.

He described the relationship as an invaluable asset shared by Vietnamese and Lao people, and urged the ambassador to make more contributions to bilateral ties.

For his part, Ambassador Sengphet Houngboungnuang pledged to make every effort to promote comprehensive co-operation, saying he would co-ordinate with Vietnamese agencies to implement high-level agreements reached by leaders of the two countries.

He thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their whole-hearted support for the Party, State and people of Laos during their struggle for national independence as well as socio-economic development.

Laos always supported and co-operated with Việt Nam at regional and international forums, the ambassador said, noting his hope that Việt Nam would perform well its roles as ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-21.

PM Phúc said Việt Nam and Laos were collaborating on many projects in different areas, and called on the ambassador to co-ordinate with Vietnamese agencies to improve the quality of these projects.

The two sides should step up all-level delegation and people-to-people exchanges, especially between youths, he said.

The Vietnamese Party, Government, agencies and localities always paid attention to co-operation with Lao ministries, agencies and localities, he said, urging competent agencies of the two countries to improve their co-ordination, speed up the implementation of joint projects and advance bilateral trade.

The PM suggested the ambassador co-ordinate with concerned agencies of the two countries to prepare for meetings of the Inter-Governmental Committee, and other major programmes.

PM Phúc said he believed the two sides would lift their co-operation at regional, sub-regional and international forums, and share viewpoints and stances on regional issues.

He proposed that Laos help Việt Nam successfully assume the posts of ASEAN Chair 2020 and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-21. — VNS