Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Phoxay Sayasone have agreed to further boost Vietnam-Laos cooperation in energy and mining, contributing to the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive partnership between the two nations.
Hanoi (VNA) – Minister ofIndustry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Phoxay Sayasone have agreed to further boost Vietnam-Laos cooperation in energy and mining, contributing to the traditional friendship, 🅺special solidarity, and comprehensive partnership betweenthe two nations.
During a workingsession in Hanoi on February 23, the two sides agreed that they are well implementing an MoU signed in 2016 between the two governments on cooperation in hydro power development in Laos, grid connections and electricity import from Laos.
Minister Dien said in order to continue purchasingelectricity from Laos, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has partnered with Lao power investorsto invest i๊n one 500kV, and four 220kV transmission lines between the two countries.
Sayasone informedthe host that according to the latest survey results, the Lao provinces of Sekong and Saravane hold 500 million tonnes of coal inreserve, which couldpotentially be even greater if the survey is expanded. To tap this abundantresource, he suggested the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) createconditions for Lao enterprises to export coal to Vietnam. Dien said the MoIT isready to connect informationbetween Vietnamese corporations and enterprises with Lao coal exporters to stepup bilateral coal trade. The Vietnameseminister also proposed further enhancing coordination in the mining and processingof mineral resources between the two countries.
He said Vietnamese enterprises are interested in investing in tin mining and processing in Laos for exporting to Vietnam or other coutries. He asked the Lao side to shareinformation about its tin reserves as well asintroduce Lao enterprises operating in this field to connect with Vietnamese partners.
The guest vowed to assign Lao agenciesto work closely with the Vietnamese side to tackle difficulties with Vietnamese projects in Laoꩵs, and further tap the potential of bilateral cooperation inelectricity purchase, mine management, and exploitation of mineral resources./.
Two-way trade revenue between Vietnam and Laos in 2022 grew 24% from the previous year to reach some 1.7 billion USD, beyond expectations of their leaders at the 44th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-Governmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation earlier last year.
Vietnamese businesses have been always good and effective investors in Laos that have generated stable jobs and offered vocational training for the host country’s people, according to Somboun Heuangvongxa, Vice Governor of Champasak province.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on February 17 received Secretary and Chief of Office of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Thongsalith Mangnomek, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.
Le Hoai Trung, member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for External Relations, has paid a working visit to Laos at the invitation of his Lao counterpart Thongsavanh Phomvihane.
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.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
