Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Lao Party GeneralSecretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith on June 29 agreed to closelycoordinate to promote cooperation between the two nations more comprehensivelyand practically.

Duringtheir meeting in Hanoi, President Phuc congratulated Thongloun on his electionas General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) andPresident of Laos.

Thongloun’sselection of Vietnam for his first overseas trip after taking officedemonstrates the importance the Lao Party and State attach to the greatfriendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the twocountries, helping to create new momentum for their close-knit, faithful andtrusting ties, he said.

TheVietnamese President expressed his belief that the Lao people will successfullyrealise the Resolution adopted at the 11th National Congress of the LPRP andthe 2021-2025 socio-economic development plan.

Forhis part, Thongloun congratulated Vietnam on the success of the 13th NationalParty Congress and the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly andall-level People’s Councils for 2021-2026.

Healso lauded great achievements the Vietnamese people have recorded in theprocess of national construction and development, and internationalintegration, which, he said, have served as a source of encouragement for theLao revolutionary cause. 

Reviewingmutual support in the COVID-19 combat, the two leaders pledged to continuetheir joint efforts to cope with the pandemic, soon recover socio-economicactivities and promote sustainable development.

Thonglounsaid the great material and spiritual support of the Vietnamese Party, Stateand people have significantly contributed to Laos’s successes in pandemiccontainment over the past time.

PresidentPhuc also appreciated the Lao side’s donation of 300,000 USD to aid Vietnam’sCOVID-19 fight, saying it reflects the fraternity between the two nations.

Thetwo leaders expressed their delight to see the Vietnam-Laos relations thrivingfurther despite impacts of COVID-19. Political ties have been consolidated asboth sides have been striving to maintain high-level delegate exchanges andmeetings, particularly after the successful organisation of the National PartyCongresses and the election of new leaders in the two countries. These havecontributed to help the countries find orientations and dynamics for bilateralcooperation in all areas in the new term.

Thetwo leaders also showed their determination to effectively implement signedagreements and remained committed to strengthening partnership in security anddefence, economy, trade, investment, agriculture, and education and training;and promoting locality-to-locality cooperation.

Theyagreed to coordinate in organising celebrations of the 60th foundinganniversary of diplomatic ties and the 45th year since the signingof the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation next year.

Onthis occasion, host and guest discussed cooperation between the two nations atmultilateral forums, especially the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)and Greater Mekong Sub-region, and collaboration among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

TheVietnamese President congratulated Laos on being elected as Vice President ofthe 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), reflecting theincreasingly growing prestige and position of Laos on the international arena.

Thonglouninvited Phuc and his spouse to pay a visit to Laos at an appropriate time. TheVietnamese leader accepted the invitation with pleasure.

TheLao leader and his entourage left Hanoi in the early afternoon of June 29,wrapping up their official friendship visit to Vietnam./.