Top Lao leader concludes Vietnam visit

• President Tran Dai Quang hails Lao leader’s visit
• Lao General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith welcomed in Hanoi

During the visit, Bounnang Vorachit held talks with Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, met President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, and visited a number of economic, historical, and cultural relics in Hanoi and Nghe An province, and Military Zone 4.

To mark the occasion, the two countries released the Vietnam-Lao Joint Statement affirming their determination to work closely to realize agreements signed by their Party and State leaders. 

They agreed to deepen the political relationship to guide bilateral cooperation, maintain exchanges, and improve cooperation between the two Parties and States.

They consented to step up bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, education, training, health care, science and technology, as well as facilitate Vietnamese and Lao people in country of residence to work and live in line with local law and international practices.

Vietnam and Laos concurred to bolster cooperation in national defense and security considering the main pillar in bilateral ties. The two sides also agreed to share information, work closely, and support each other at regional and global forums, particularly at the UN, ASEAN, and Mekong Sub-region.

They stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea, settling disputes by peaceful means in line with international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and soon finalizing the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), in order to maintain security, safety, cooperation and development in both the region and the wider world.

Upon his return to Vientiane, Vorachit sent a message of thanks to Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang, showing his belief in further strengthened bilateral ties, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples.

Before ending his trip to Vietnam, the Lao leader had a meeting with military officials and soldiers of Military Zone 4 during which, he expressed his sincere thank to the Party, State, armed forces and people of Vietnam for their great support and sacrifice for the Lao struggle for independence in the past and the current national construction and protection.

He suggested the two countries’ armed forces should focus on quality and effectiveness and work together to find more practical forms of cooperation for mutual benefit.