Vietnam, Laos promote cooperation in various fields
Vietnam, Laos promote cooperation in various fields
Vietnam and Laos are committed to fostering their cooperation in multiple fields as Vietnam's Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong held talks with his Laos counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith in the Lao capital of Vientiane today, February 24, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President Bounnhang Vorachith spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements in economic reform and its elevated position and prestige in the world stage.
He expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party, the Vietnamese people will attain more success in the process of national construction and development, and turning Vietnam into an industrialized economy by 2030.
The Vietnamese leader congratulated the Lao people on the achievements they have made over the past 30 years of reform, and reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong and comprehensive support for the cause of national renewal, defense and construction in Laos.
The two leaders pledged to foster the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, states and peoples of Vietnam and Laos, considering this a crucial factor to guarantee the success of their national construction and defense.
Amidst regionally and globally unpredictable developments, the two sides should join hands to embrace the tradition of solidarity, cooperation and mutual support, they said.
They agreed to improve the Vietnam-Laos comprehensive cooperation on the principles of equality and mutual benefits.
They were unanimous in strengthening political collaboration, maintaining high-level meetings, expanding exchanges at all levels, especially those along the shared borderline.
They also concurred to boost ties in national defense and security, and work together to build a shared border of stability and sustainability.
The two sides will also forge ties in economy, culture, education, training, healthcare, science and technology, while creating a more favorable legal framework for multi-faceted cooperation.
The Vietnamese and Lao economies should support each other, particularly in transport, electricity, telecommunications and tourism, they said, stressing that cooperation in high-quality manpower development should draw more attention from both sides.
Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, they said that the two sides should continue their close coordination and mutual support, especially within the cooperation framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations and Mekong Sub-region mechanism.
The two countries should join hands to use and manage Mekong River water resources sustainably, tighten their cooperation and coordination with third parties within the framework of the East-West Corridor and other multilateral cooperation programs and projects.
Both leaders placed emphasis on the maintenance of peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea, supported ASEAN’s role and principles, and agreed to promote the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means and in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea.
They affirmed that the two nations will join hands with relevant sides to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and soon reach a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea.
On this occasion, Vietnamese leader Nguyen Phu Trong thanked Laos for backing Vietnam’s bid to run for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure, and the country’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.
Following their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of nine cooperation documents between Vietnamese and Lao ministries and agencies.
They included an agreement between the two finance ministries for the 2019-2020 period, an agreement on power and mine projects between the two governments, and another agreement between the two governments on the development and operation of the Vung Ang-Vientiane railway, as well as a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation among others.
