Government looks to create new driver for Vietnam-Laos cooperation
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a meeting with ministries and sectors on November 17 to review Vietnam-Laos cooperation and discuss preparations for the 43rd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee slated for early December in Hanoi.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) chairs the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a meeting withministries and sectors on November 17 to review Vietnam-Laos cooperation anddiscuss preparations for the 43rd meeting of the Vietnam-LaosInter-governmental Committee slated for early December in Hanoi.
PMPhuc underlined the significance of the 43rd meeting in the contextof the two countries actively preparing for their national party congresses andbuilding a socio-economic development strategic for the next period.
Hereiterated the consistent policy of giving top priority to the specialrelationship with Laos, and required ministries and sectors to activelyimplement cooperative agreements signed between the two countries, includingthose reached during the recent visits to Vietnam by the Lao Prime Minister.
TheGovernment leader also urged ministries and sectors to define the direction forbilateral cooperation in the next period and create a new driver for bilateralrelations.
Itwas reported at the meeting that ministries, sectors and localities of Vietnamand Laos have made efforts to continue implementing plans on bilateralcooperation, while supporting each other in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic andmaintaining exchanges in trade, investment, education-training and other fieldsin bilateral ties.
Ministriesand sectors reported to the PM their planned directions for cooperation withLaos in their respective fields, with stress laid on settling outstandingproblems, enhancing economic links and promoting joint work in culture,education, people-to-people exchange, especially educating young generations inthe valuable Vietnam-Laos ties.
PMPhuc instructed making the best efforts to ensure success for the 43rd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee, particularlycompleting important documents on cooperation for signing on the occasion.Those documents include a strategy for Vietnam-Laos economic, cultural,educational, scientific and technological cooperation for 2021-2030, and anagreement on bilateral cooperation for 2021-2025.
Hesaid those documents will show the direction for the strong development of thegreat friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation betweenVietnam and Laos in the interest of people of the two countries as well as forpeace, cooperation and development in the region and the world as a whole./.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held phone talks with his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on November 10 to discuss bilateral ties and regional cooperation ahead of the 37th ASEAN Summit.
The Embassy of Vietnam in Laos on November 11 held a Vientiane meeting to exchange views and collect feedback from Vietnamese expats on four draft documents to be submitted to the 13th National Party Congress slated for earlier next year.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, empowered by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, on November 13 handed over the token of the relief aid of 1,000 tonnes of rice from the Vietnamese Government to Lao Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Chanthaphone Khammanichanh to assist flood-hit people in Savanakhet province.
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleusay Kommasith has spoken highly of the leadership role of Vietnam in its capacity as Chair of ASEAN 2020, as well as the country’s contributions to enhancing the bloc’s role on the regional and international forums.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) chairs the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
