The Party, State and people of Vietnam consistently support Laos’s reform efforts and will continue to provide assistance within their capacity to help Laos maintain macroeconomic stability, strengthen governance and achieve sustainable development, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam said during a reception in Hanoi on Tuesday for Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
PM Sonexay is leading a high-level Lao Government delegation on an official visit to Vietnam and to attend the third ASEAN Future Forum.
Party leader and President Lam called on the two countries to further consolidate political trust, maintain high-level exchanges through all channels, strengthen defence and security cooperation, promote more practical and effective economic collaboration, modernize cooperation in education, training and human resource development, and expand locality-to-locality ties.
He also proposed prioritizing strategic cooperation projects in transport, energy, agriculture and digital transformation, particularly the development of Vung Ang Port, the Hanoi-Vientiane Expressway and the Vung Ang-Vientiane railway.
The Vietnamese leader called for streamlined border procedures and the continued implementation of local-currency payment mechanisms to facilitate travel, tourism, trade and investment.
He urged close coordination with Cambodia to strengthen cooperation among the three countries and effectively implement the action plan on connectivity among the economies of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam through 2030.
PM Sonexay affirmed that the Lao Government will work closely with Vietnam to advance key cooperation projects, remove obstacles facing businesses, and deepen economic ties. He also reiterated Laos’s commitment to solidarity among the peoples of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia and to mutual support at regional and multilateral forums.
Also on Tuesday, during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Party leader and President To Lam called for the effective implementation of existing cooperation mechanisms between Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as among Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, including meetings of the prime ministers and the defense, public security and foreign ministers of the three countries.
PM Hun Manet pledged close coordination in implementing agreements reached by senior leaders of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Cambodian People’s Party.
The two leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and agreed to continue close coordination and support for one another at regional and international forums, particularly within ASEAN and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
Mr. Lam expressed Vietnam’s support for Cambodia’s hosting of the 20th Francophonie Summit in November this year.
