At the 45th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee. (Photo: VNA) The meeting, held on January 11-12, saw the attendanceof representatives from more than 20 ministries, agencies and localities of thetwo countries.
The two sides agree to concretise conclusions by the two Politburos as well as the agreement on the 2023 cooperation plan inorder to boost collaboration across spheres, from politics, diplomacy, and nationaldefence-security to investment and trade.
They will also work to create changes inpartnerships in economy, culture, education, health care, and science-technology,raise the efficiency of investment, and promote socio-economic infrastructuredevelopment in Laos.
The two sides noted with pleasure comprehensivecooperation outcomes recorded in 2022, saying the bilateral trade surpassed theset target to reach 1.73 billion USD, up 24% from the previous year.
Vietnam’s investment in Laos last year also exceeded180 million USD, a year-on-year rise of 52.5%.
The two countries agreed to focus on theimplementation of joint statements and agreements reached by the two Politburosand others, including the one inked at the 45th meeting.
They will also step up political, diplomatic,national defence-security, investment and trade ties, striving to raise thetwo-way trade by 10-15% in 2023 as compared with the previous year.
The sides consented to expand collaboration inpersonnel training, invest in transport projects, and join hands in the sustainableuse of water resources and other natural resources.
Greater efforts will be made to deal with obstaclesto projects funded by Vietnam and invested by Vietnamese firms in Laos, andencourage ministries, agencies and localities to expand relations and supporteach other.
In the spirit of mutual trust, the two countrieswill provide mutual support and cooperate at regional and internationalorganisations and forums.
Siphandone suggested the two sides continue delegationexchanges at all levels and through all channels to constantly consolidatetheir political relations, intensify the exchange of political theory, coordinatein ensuring security, and social order and safety, and forge cooperation innational defence and security.
Vietnamese and Lao PMs witness the signing of documents. (Photo: VNA) In his remarks, Chinh affirmed that the VietnameseParty, Government and people consider their Lao counterparts close, reliable comrades,and brothers.
Therefore, he said, the main task lies withenhancing connectivity and supporting each other in building an economy ofindependence and self-reliance, which integrates into the world intensively,extensively, pragmatically and effectively.
The two sides should facilitate the operations oftheir businesses, he said, asking ministries, agencies and localities of bothsides to play a more active part, especially in settling roadblocks toprojects.
The Vietnamese Government will drastically instructministries, agencies, localities and enterprises to coordinate with the Laoside to effectively materialise commitments made at the meeting, the leaderpledged.
The meeting is expected to create new momentum,making the bilateral collaboration more substantive and effective, andcontributing to consolidating and strengthening the traditional friendship,special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, hesaid.
Prior to the meeting, the leaders visited a photo exhibition on the land and people of the two countries, and their relations, especially infinance, banking, energy, telecoms, agriculture and forestry.
The event was jointly held by the Vietnam NewsAgency and the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment./.
VNA
