Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh (L) and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi, January 10, 2022. (Photo: Vu Khuyen/VOV)

During the visit, the two PMs talked, attended signing ceremonies for cooperation agreements, launched the Year of Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship, co-chaired the 44th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, and met businesses from the two countries.

PM Viphavanh paid a courtesy call to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and met President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

He paid a floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and laid a wreath at a monument to war heroes and martyrs on Bac Son street in Hanoi.

During talks and exchanges, both sides reaffirmed the two countries’ consistent policy of treasuring and giving the top priority to consolidating bilateral great relationship, special friendship and comprehensive cooperation. The two sides pledged to maintain visits and exchanges and carry out agreements reached by their leaders.

The two PMs discussed ways to boost economic ties along with their special bilateral ties, and vowed to increase connectivity between the two economies.

They promised to carry out economic agreements, and create a stable and transparent legal corridor and business environment conducive to all enterprises.

Priority will be given, they said, to improving education and training collaboration; enhancing cultural, sports, and tourism exchanges; and coordinating in clean agriculture, e-commerce, digital transformation, and innovation.

They vowed to continue working closely together, offering mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly within ASEAN, the United Nations, and Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms, maintain ASEAN’s stance on strategic issues related to regional peace and stability, including the East Sea issue.