Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Prime Ministerand Minister of Foreign Affairs  Pham Binh Minh and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs SaleumsayKommasith on November 29 shared the view that the Vietnam-Laos relationship hasbeen thriving despite a range of difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While co-chairing the seventh annual politicalconsultation at the foreign ministerial level in Vientiane, the officials said politicalcooperation has been enhanced intensively, with regular visits, phone talks andhigh-level meetings maintained.

Attention has been paid to bilateral cooperationmechanisms in various fields like national defence-security, external affairs, economy, culture, education andscience-technology.

The ministers consented to instruct the two foreign ministriesto further coordinate in better serving high-level visits and meetings and preparingfor the 43rd meeting of the inter-governmental committee, while joininghands with other relevant ministries and agencies to implement cooperationagreements, programmes and projects.

They said collaboration between the two foreign ministries hasbeen reinforced practically and effectively through annual cooperationmechanisms at ministerial and deputy ministerial levels, and other mechanismsand forms, covering an array of fields.

Notably, the two sides successfully held an onlinepolitical consultation at the deputy foreign ministerial level in October, and signedan action programme on cooperation in economic diplomacy for 2020-2025.

Minh took the occasion to thank the Lao side forsupporting Vietnam to run for seats at UN agencies and organisations over thepast time, and for backing Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2020.

Vietnam will coordinate and support Laos to successfullyorganise the ninth Ayeyawady-ChaoPhraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit, the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV) Summit, and the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area Summit.

The ministers alsoexchanged views on regional and international matters, the East Sea issue andthe sustainable use of Mekong River water sources.

The two sides agreedto continue their close coordination at regional and international forums,share information and viewpoints, and coordinate in seeking international resourcesfor joint projects and programmes.

Following the politicalconsultation, the two ministers signed a cooperation agreement between the Vietnameseand Lao foreign ministries for the 2021-2025 period.

On this occasion of Minh's visit to Laos from November 29-30, nationalflag carrier Vietnam Airlines resumed its first commercial flight between Hanoiand Vientiane since the COVID-19 broke out./.