Vietnam places priority on time-honoured friendship with Laos

Vietnam always gives the top priority to the promotion of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and all-around cooperation with Laos, considering these crucial for their countries’ revolutionary causes, has said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

On February 5, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith and Chairwoman of the country’s National Assembly Pany Yathotou in Vientiane.

The meetings were part of the 40th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, co-chaired by PM Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith, earlier the same day.

Meeting with General Secretary and President Vorachith, PM Phuc said the both sides reviewed their cooperation last year and reached a consensus on a variety of fields. Relevant ministries, sectors and localities were urged to coordinate with the countries’ businesses to fully implement agreements in order to successfully realize the two Government’s cooperation plan for 2018 and the Vietnam – Laos cooperation agreement for 2016-2020.

The Vietnamese government leader also praised the tremendous achievements Laos has recorded over the past years.

In reply, Vorachith applauded the two Governments’ efforts to deal with difficulties and step up bilateral cooperation in multiple fields. He showed his belief that the successful 40th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee at the beginning of this year will provide a foundation for them to realise the cooperation plan for 2018 and the cooperation agreement for 2016-2020.

At the meeting with Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou, PM Phuc suggested fostering the relations in politics, diplomacy, defence, and security while building a Vietnam – Laos border of peace, stability, cooperation, and comprehensive development.

He also called for stronger education on the two countries’ traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, especially among younger generations.

For her part, Chairwoman Yathotou welcomed the Vietnamese delegation to Laos and extolled the success of the Vietnam – Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017.

After the meetings, PM Phuc visited workers at the construction site of the new headquarters of the National Assembly of Laos. The headquarters, covering 23,400 sq.m is a gift of the Vietnamese Party, State and people for Laos. Its construction started in November 2017.

Later in the day, Phuc and his delegation left Vientiane, concluding their trip to Laos for the 40th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-Governmental Committee.

VOV