PM’s visit set to boost special Vietnam-Laos relations
The first official visit to Laos by Nguyen Xuan Phuc in his capacity as Vietnamese Prime Minister from April 26-27 is set to solidify the countries’ cooperation, which has been growing over the last 55 years.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will an an official visit to Laos from April 26-27 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The first official visit toLaos by Nguyen Xuan Phuc in his capacity as Vietnamese Prime Minister fromApril 26-27 is set to solidify the countries’ cooperation, which has beengrowing over the last 55 years.
Vietnam and Laos established their diplomaticrelationship on September 5, 1962.
Since then, they have maintained bilateralcooperation mechanisms such as the annual meeting of the IntergovernmentalCommittee on bilateral cooperation, with the most recent – the 39th meeting –held on February 8, 2017. They have also held mutual visits at all levels, with370 delegations exchanged in 2016.
The two sides have also intensified diplomaticties by initiating the annual dialogue between their foreign ministers inDecember 2014 and the political consultation between deputy foreign ministersin July 2015.
As of the end of February 2017, Vietnam had 408projects with total capital of about 3.7 billion USD in Laos. Many of them haveproved profitable, contributing to both nations’ development and creating jobsin Laos.
The countries signed a new trade agreement inMarch 2015 and a cross-border trade agreement in June the same year. Bilateraltrade reached 823 million USD in 2016.
Security-defence cooperation has been reinforcedin all aspects, especially personnel training.
Meanwhile, a project on upgrading the bordermarker system along the shared borderline was completed. The two countries alsoinked a protocol on the Vietnam-Laos border and border markers and have implementedthe two Governments’ agreement on tackling unplanned migration and unregisteredmarriage in border areas.
They have also done a good job of searching forand repatriating the remains of Vietnam’s soldiers. In the 2015-2016 dryseason, 233 Vietnamese martyrs in Laos were repatriated.
The two neighbours have accelerated transportconnectivity projects within the framework of bilateral cooperation and theGreater Mekong Subregion.
A memorandum of understanding on transportcooperation strategy for 2016-2025 was signed between the two Governments inSeptember 2015. They are also considering the application of a “one-stop shop”model at more border gates.
In the 2015-2016 academic year, Vietnam gave1,000 scholarships to Laos, which in turn granted 60 scholarships to Vietnam.
The countries have enjoyed mutual support atregional and international forums, coordinated with other member nations tobuild the ASEAN Community, and helped maintain ASEAN’s unity in the region’sstrategic issues.-VNA
The Lao State has presented medals and orders to 33 officials, experts, and volunteer soldiers in Vietnam’s central Da Nang city in recognition of their contributions to Laos’s revolution.
The Vietnam–Laos Friendship Association of the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long will focus on organising exchange and cooperation activities to strengthen the traditional friendship and mutual understanding between the Lao people and locals in Vinh Long.
Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, Head of Vietnam’s permanent delegation to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva, congratulated Lao Ambassador Khan-Inh Khitchadeth on the occasion of the traditional Bul Pi May New Year festival in Geneva on April 21.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has advised Vietnamese people living there to proactively prepare and seek ways to leave the country via land border crossings, especially toward Jordan or Egypt, when security and safety conditions allow.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will an an official visit to Laos from April 26-27 (Photo: VNA) 
