PM: Vietnam prioritises strengthening relations with Laos

PM Phuc made the statement during a meeting with his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on the sidelines of the eighth Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit (ACMECS 8) in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 15.

The two PMs expressed their delight at new development steps in the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.  

With the determination to deepen bilateral ties, the two leaders agreed to work together to accelerate the full implementation of high-level agreements and the outcomes of the 40th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee. 

They held that drastic measures are needed to address obstacles, particularly in key projects in the fields of energy, mining, and transport connectivity.

PM Phuc believed that the Lao Party, Government and people will successfully realise the goals set in the Resolution of the 10th Party Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the eight five-year social-economic development plan for 2016 -2020.

The Vietnamese leader thanked the governments of Laos and other ASEAN member nations for their commitments to backing Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 term. He also thanked Laos for its support to Vietnam’s initiatives at the UN Human Rights Council.

PM Phuc recommended the two countries continue exchanging information and work closely together in the ASEAN and at multilateral forums for peace, security and sustainable development in each country and in the region and the world as well.

PM Sisoulith said he will soon meet and have direct discussions with Vietnamese businesses operating in Laos. 

He pledged to direct Lao ministries, sectors and localities to work with their Vietnamese partners to remove difficulties and hurdles in cooperation, particularly in major projects.

PM Phuc took the occasion to thank his counterpart for accepting the invitation to attend the World Economic Forum on ASEAN in Hanoi next September.