This is PM Chinh’s first official visit to the neighbouring country also the first visit to Laos by a foreign leader since PM Sonexay Siphandon took office.
Pm Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Laos is an important event in the relationship between the two countries, marking the success and closing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year 2022, the 60th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
The great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos have continued to develop in a deep and sustainable manner over the past time. The two sides have maintained regular high-level contacts and exchanges across all cooperation channels. The important bilateral cooperation mechanisms have promoted positive effects, especially the success of the 44th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee (January 2022).
Defence and security cooperation has continued to be an important pillar in the relations between the two countries, contributing to maintaining political stability, security and social order in both countries and their common border area. The economic, trade and investment cooperation has been strengthened. The two-way trade turnover was estimated at 16.3 billion USD in 2022, up 20% compared to 2021. With 217 projects registering total capital of about 4.7 billion USD, Vietnam is the third largest investor in Laos. The cooperation in education, training, culture and tourism has been enhanced, especially after the two countries have controlled the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened. Other cooperation areas, including cooperation between bordering localities, have also continued to improve.
Vietnam and Laos continue to closely coordinate on regional and international issues of mutual concern and support at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
On his first official visit to Laos, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will co-chair the 45th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee as well as review and evaluate outstanding cooperation achievements and set out the main direction for the development of the relations between the two countries in 2023.
The leaders of the two countries discussed measures to strengthen their cooperation in the fields of politics, diplomacy, security, defence, economy, trade, investment, education and culture while promoting mutual assistance in the recovery process and linking the two economies and implementing key projects. The two nations will also strengthen their coordination at regional and international forums, especially within the framework of ASEAN and Mekong sub-regional cooperation.
During the visit, the two countries will hold a ceremony to close Vietnam – Laos Friendship Year 2022 which was marked by many activities to celebrate important events in the relations between the two countries, thereby promoting and conveying the great friendship and special spirit of solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos to the two peoples and helping international friends gain a deeper understanding of the pure relationship between Vietnam and Laos.
PM Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Laos continues to affirm Vietnamese Party's and State's consistent guideline and policy of treasuring and prioritising the great friendship and comprehensive partnership between the two nations.
As the first high-level diplomatic activity of Vietnam in 2023 and since the neighbouring country elected a new Prime Minister, Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh’s visit demonstrates the importance of the Lao Party and State in the relationship between the two countries while contributing to enhancing the trust and cohesion between senior leaders and good cooperation between the governments of Vietnam and Laos in the new term.
May the official visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Laos be a great success, contributing to promoting the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in a deep and sustainable manner.
