Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyễn Quốc Dũng. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyễn Quốc Dũng and his Lao counterpart Thongsavanh Phomvihane co-chaired their fifth political consultation via a video conference on Thursday.

Both sides spoke highly of bilateral co-operation in the fight against COVID-19 and in key fields such as politics, security, national defence, economy, trade, investment, culture, and education-training.

As the two countries have basically curbed COVID-19, they highlighted the need to facilitate travel and trade via reopening mainland border gates and resuming commercial flights.

Amid the complex developments of the pandemic, the regional and world situation, they suggested tapping opportunities to create a driving force for bilateral collaboration.

On regional and global issues of shared concern, the two sides vowed to offer mutual support at regional and global forums, especially within ASEAN and sub-regional co-operation mechanisms.

The Lao side hailed Việt Nam’s success in its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and ASEAN Chair 2020, making active contributions to building a united, resilient and prosperous ASEAN Community.

The two sides will continue working closely together to make thorough preparations for important events in the near future, including the 43rd meeting of the Việt Nam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee and the seventh ministerial-level political consultation.

They also pledged to hold activities in the two countries on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Lao National Day and the 100th birth anniversary of Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane, enhancing training and consultation to share experience between the two foreign ministries’ units.

On the occasion, Dũng reiterated the Vietnamese leaders’ thanks to their Lao counterparts and people for sending sympathy over human and property losses caused by recent floods in Việt Nam’s central region. He also expressed his sympathy to Laos over difficulties caused by floods in Savannakhet Province.

The next political consultation is to be held in Laos in 2021. — VNS