Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his delight in the ongoing development of the close friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in all areas.
Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith congratulated Vietnam on its impressive achievements in socio-economic development in 2019, especially the economic growth rate of 7%. He spoke highly of the results and benefits of the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, expressing his belief the meeting will create a new momentum for the bilateral ties in 2020 when Vietnam and Laos are celebrating important events and preparing for the National Party Congress of each country in 2021.
Both sides expressed their pleasure with the implementation of cooperation programmes between the two governments in all areas over the past year. Notably, the political ties and cooperation in defence – security have been strengthened, contributing to maintaining political stability and social order and security in each country.
Regarding economic collaboration, the two-way trade between the two countries hit US$1.2 billion, up 12.5%. Vietnam continued to be a big foreign investor in Laos with nearly 430 projects with combined a capital of nearly US$5 billion.
Cooperation in education has been furtherd with an increase in the number of Vietnam’s scholarships awarded to Laos students. There are 17,000 Lao students studying in Vietnam.
The two sides agreed on cooperation orientations for 2020, with a focus on increasing pillar collaboration on politics, external affairs, defence, security; strengthening sharing experience in building policies on stabilising macro-economies and promoting sustainable development; while enhancing connectivity and supplementation between the two economies, especially in transport and energy.
Besides the above mentioned, the two nations will coordinate to improve their business and investment environment, as well as transport infrastructure connectivity, while creating more favourable conditions for businesses in order to strive for the expand two-way trade by at least 10% this year.
Vietnam and Laos will work together to build their cooperation strategy over the next decade while the two countries’ ministries, sectors and localities continue to promote substantial and effective cooperation in the fields of culture, science, social affairs, information and communications, sports, healthcare, internal and judicial matters.
The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums and join hands to further deepen the cooperation and connectivity of the ASEAN Community as well as promote the bloc’s solidarity, central role, and common voice in regional strategic issues, including the East Sea matter.
They were unanimous in making effective and sustainable use of water resources in the Mekong River. Laos affirmed to support Vietnam’s assumption of the roles of the ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021 tenure.
Concluding the meeting, the two PMs stressed that they will direct ministries, sectors, localities and businesses of both countries to closely coordinate to realise effectively the freshly-reached agreements.
After the meeting, the two PMs witnessed the signing ceremony for important cooperation documents, including the agreement on th cooperation plan for 2020 between the governments of Vietnam and Laos, the minutes of the 42nd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee, the agreement on transfer of sentenced persons, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Vietnam’s Transport Ministry and the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and the agreement on the education cooperation plan between the two education ministries.
