Lao media spotlights Vietnam – Laos special relations
Many electronic newspapers of Laos simultaneously ran articles on January 6 - 7, highlighting Lao Prime Minister Sonxay Siphandone’s official visit to Vietnam and co-chairing of the 46th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee.
An article published by Lao News Agency (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – Many electronic newspapers of Laos simultaneously ranarticles on January 6 - 7, highlighting Lao Prime Minister Sonxay Siphandone’s officialvisit to Vietnam and co-chairingof the 46th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee.
The articles reported that right after theofficial welcome ceremony in Hanoi on the morning ofJanuary 6, Lao PM Siphandone and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinhheld talks.
During the talks, the two sides spoke highly of the results of the bilateralcooperation in 2023. The two PMs expressed their joy as many cooperation projects have been completed on time, even aheadof schedule, and several existing issues between the two countries have been addressed.
The two sides acknowledged theconsolidation of bilateral political relations, saying that this serves as a solid foundationfor promoting cooperation in terms of defence and security, economics, trade,investment, industry, energy, education, culture, tourism, and healthcarebetween the two countries.
They have also exchanged views on orientationsand plans for future cooperation, agreeing to continue implementing agreementssigned by leaders of both countries, as well as relevant documents signed betweenthe two Parties, States, and ministries and sectors at all levels.
According to Lao media, PMChinh welcomed the first official visit to Vietnam by Prime MinisterSonexay Siphandone in his new capacity. The Vietnamese leader affirmed that Vietnam is ready tosupport Laos to successfully perform international responsibilities in 2024,including the ASEAN Chairmanship.
For his part, Siphandone thankedthe Party, State and people of Vietnam for their valuable support andassistance for Laos in its nationalconstruction and defence.
Lao newspapers said that the two PrimeMinisters witnessed the signing of four cooperation documents, including aprotocol on border guard cooperation between the defence ministries of Vietnamand Laos, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation plan between theGovernment Office of Vietnam and the Lao Prime Minister’s Office, an MoU ondevelopment and connectivity of border trade infrastructure between theGovernments of Vietnam and Laos, and a cooperation plan for 2024 between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and Laos’s Ministry of Education and Sports./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a welcome ceremony on January 6 morning for his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, who is in Vietnam for an official visit and the 46th meeting of the two countries’ Inter-Governmental Committee.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone co-chaired a Vietnam-Laos investment cooperation conference in Hanoi on January 7, as part of the latter's ongoing visit to Vietnam.
Vietnam and Laos agreed on major orientations to bolster their partnership in 2024, during the 46th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee for Bilateral Cooperation that was held in Hanoi on January 7 under the co-chair of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
An article published by Lao News Agency (Photo: VNA) 
