Việt Nam's Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc hosted a reception on Friday for his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on Friday in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc hosted a reception on Friday for his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith, who is visiting Việt Nam for the national period of mourning for former Party General Secretary Lê Khả Phiêu in Hà Nội.

Sisoutlith offered his condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State, National Assembly, and Fatherland Front on the death of the former leader.

He spoke highly of Phiêu’s contributions to Việt Nam's struggle for national independence, construction, defence and development, to Laos’ revolutionary cause, and to the two countries’ friendship.

The Lao official said the former leader’s death is a great loss for the Vietnamese Party, State, and people, while the Party, State, and people of Laos have lost a comrade and a very close friend.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Government and people, Phúc thanked Lao leaders and people for their affection for the late leader, which demonstrates the special bond between the two nations.

The two PMs took the occasion to exchange views on the socio-economic situation in both countries and to review the implementation of agreements reached and outcomes of the 42nd meeting of the Việt Nam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee. They also looked into major joint projects, including the construction of Laos’ new parliamentary building and friendship hospitals.

They discussed ways to boost bilateral ties and strategies for the next five years and towards 2030.

Sisoulith expressed his gratitude for Việt Nam's support for the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in Laos.

Both leaders agreed to continue co-ordinating in combating the pandemic, particularly in border areas, and to develop plans to resume flights between the two countries and reopen border gates when the coronavirus situation is under control.

They agreed to accelerate information and experience exchanges for the successful organisation of their national Party Congresses in 2021 and will step up co-operation in politics, defence, security, economics, trade, investment, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. — VNS