Preserving and promoting Vietnam-Laos special solidarity

At the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith led a high-ranking delegation from the Lao Government to Vietnam to attend and co-chair the 41st meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee which opened in Hanoi today (January 6). This important political event continues to affirm the foreign policy priorities of both countries of constantly developing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Laos. The event also aims to enhance political trust and create a unified channel to direct and promote the implementation of high-level agreements as well as strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the future.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith in Hanoi (photo: VGP)
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith in Hanoi (photo: VGP)

Being close neighbouring countries, Vietnam and Laos have a time-honoured and intimate relationship. The traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, which were established by President Ho Chi Minh and Presidents Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong and have been nurtured by generations of the two countries’ leaders and people, have become a valuable treasure of both nations. This is also one of the important factors to ensure the success of the cause of national construction and defence in each country. The Vietnamese people always remember and are sincerely thankful for the great and precious support that the Lao Party, State and people have dedicated to the Party, State and people of Vietnam in the past struggles for national unification as well as in the current cause of national construction and defence.

The Vietnamese people congratulate the Lao Party, State and people on the achievements that they have gained over the past few years. Laos is one of the countries posting the highest economic growth rate among ASEAN, with GDP growth ofroughly7% in recent years. Open investment mechanisms, expanded banking credit for agriculture and small businesses, and the development of special economic zones have helped Laos to attract foreign investors and promote its economic development. Laos is currently pursuing the foreign policy of peace, friendship, cooperation, independence, and multilateralism and is willing to be friends and partners with other countries, while strengthening cooperation with its neighbouring border countries and strategic partners.

We are happy to see that the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos continue to be consolidated and deepened in all fields. Senior leaders of the two Parties and States hold regular meetings in various forms and the exchange of delegations at all levels is maintained frequently. Leaders of the two countries have paid due attention to the implementation of high-level agreements in 2018 to ensure the efficiency and schedule of agreements. Cooperation between Vietnam and Laos has been continuously promoted in a wide and effective manner in all fields, including security, defence, trade, investment, education - training, agriculture, culture, tourism, and others.

During the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Solidarity Year 2017, the two countries organised diverse and meaningful cooperation and exchange activities, demonstrating the solidarity, trust, and special relationship between Vietnam and Laos. The two sides also actively exchanged information and closely coordinated and supported each other in regional and international cooperation forums, while continuing to strengthen their cooperation with ASEAN member countries to join hands to build the ASEAN Community and maintain solidarity and a consensus in ASEAN.

The 41st meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, which is held in Hanoi and co-chaired by the Prime Ministers of the two countries, aims to promote the bilateral cooperation in a deeper and more practical manner. At this meeting, the two sides will assess the implementation of high-level agreements between the two countries as well as discussing the cooperation direction and plans for 2019.

We believe that, the participation of the Lao Prime Minister in the 41st meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee will contribute to strengthening the political trust between the senior leaders of the two countries and deepen the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Laos for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.