Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived in Hanoi onthe evening of February 5, finishing his activities within the framework of the40th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee in Vientiane,Laos.

At the meeting co-chaired byPhuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith, the two PMs showed thedelight at the results of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

In 2017, two-way trade hitover 935 million USD, a rise of nearly 13.6 percent over 2016, surpassing theyearly target.

Vietnamese enterprises haveregistered to invest in 411 projects worth about 3.7 billion USD in Laos, 43percent of which, or 1.6 billion USD, have been disbursed.

In 2018, the leaders agreedto focus on implementing the joint statement and agreements reached by seniorleaders, as well as deals between ministries, sectors and localities, includingthose reached during this meeting.

🌌[Vietnamese, Lao PMs co-chair Inter-Governmental committee meeting]

They will double efforts toachieve a 10 percent growth in two-way trade, while expanding collaboration inhuman resources training, investing in transport infrastructure projects toconnect the two countries, and coordinating in managing the sustainable use ofwater and natural resources.

They will also support andcooperate with each other at regional and international organisations andforums.

This is the second time theVietnamese and Lao PMs have co-chaired a meeting of the bilateralInter-Governmental Committee, showing the determination of leaders of bothcountries in effectively implementing cooperation agreements in 2018.  

After the meeting, the twoPMs witnessed the signing of 12 cooperation documents of ministries,departments and localities in the fields of economics, trade, investment,education-training and energy – the highest number signed in a meeting betweenthe two sides.

Also in Vientiane, PM Phucmet with General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party andPresident of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith and Chairwoman of the country’s NationalAssembly Pany Yathotou.

He affirmed that theCommunist Party of Vietnam, the State, Government and people of Vietnam alwaysgive the highest priority to the enhancement of the traditional friendship,special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, considering theseas priceless and vital for their countries’ revolutionary causes.

PM Phuc and his Laocounterpart Thongloun Sisoulith joined about 1,000 Vietnamese people in Laos ata celebration for the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) festival in Vientiane onFebruary 4

They also visitedtelecommunications company Star Telecom, a joint venture between Lao AsiaTelecom and Vietnam’s Viettel Group.-VNA