Kunming (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone pledged closer cooperation in multiple areas between the two countries at their meeting in Kunming city, China, on November 6.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit, the 10th Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit, and the 11th Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Vietnam (CLMV) Cooperation Summit.

Mentioning the important outcomes of his meeting with Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith on the fringe of the expanded BRICS Summit in Russia on October 23, PM Chinh said frequent meetings between Vietnamese and Lao leaders reflect the unique close-knit bonds between the two countries.

He also conveyed regards from Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to leaders of Laos.

On behalf of the Lao Party and people, PM Sonexay thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, and people for their wholehearted support and assistance to Laos to fulfil the chairmanship of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2024, describing this success as the one of not only Laos but also both countries.

Laos is working to develop an independent and resilient economy, and it will cooperate closely with Vietnam in this process, he stressed.

At the meeting, the two PMs reviewed bilateral cooperation in the recent past, highlighting the close coordination between the two governments as well as efforts by the two countries’ ministries, sectors, and localities to implement the outcomes of the high-level discussions and agreements, especially the state visit to Laos by then State President To Lam in July and the session between the two Politburos in September this year.

The two sides agreed to carry out high-level agreements in a more active and effective manner while making the best preparations for the coming 47th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee.

They were unanimous in further intensifying the cooperation pillar of defence - security to guarantee solid sources of support for each other, and in continuing to maintain security and build a Vietnam - Laos borderline of peace, friendship, stability, and sustainable development.

The PMs also agreed to make more breakthroughs in economic and trade partnerships.

PM Sonexay affirmed that Laos always prioritises Vietnamese enterprises, especially those operating in such strategic fields as infrastructure, energy, high technology, and transport. He expressed his hope for enhanced connectivity between the two economies and cooperation to improve the legal systems for facilitate trade and investment activities.

Lauding both sides’ efforts to promote some key projects, PM Chinh asked them to sustain this positive trend and stay determined to thoroughly deal with obstacles for other important projects in accordance with the two Politburos’ directions. He also pledged to promote related Vietnamese agencies’ coordination with the Lao side.

Vietnam will continue assisting Laos to improve the quality of human resources, especially strategic-level officials and all-level managers, to help the latter meet development demands in the new period, he stated.

The two PMs concurred in implementing cultural collaboration more effectively and pressing on with communications about the traditional Vietnam - Laos relations among the public, especially young people. They also agreed to increase exchanging opinions and information in a timely manner, coordinate closely, and support each other in international and regional issues of common concern.

The Lao PM invited his Vietnamese counterpart to pay an official visit to Laos and co-chair the 47th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee in early 2025. PM Chinh accepted the invitation with pleasure./.