Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held phone talks with his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on November 10 to discuss bilateral ties and regional cooperation ahead of the 37th ASEAN Summit.
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phu🎀c held phone talks with hisLao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on November 10 to discuss bilateral tiesand regional cooperation ahead of𓄧 the 37th ASEAN Summit.
PM Thongloun once again conveyed Lao Party, State and Government leaders' and people’ssympathies to their Vietnamese counterparts over great losses caused by recent floods in the centralregion. He wished that Vietnam would overcome the consequences soon and affected people would stabilise their lives. Hecongratulated Vietnam on its outstanding achievements in effectively copingwith the COVID-19 pandemic, restoring socio-economic development and successfullyundertaking the role of ASEAN Chair 2020, thus improving its stature in theregion and the world. PMPhuc lauded the Lao Government for realising the Party’s resolutions and Statepolicies and successfully holding important meetings in the Greater MekongSub-region, thus making active contributions to sub-regional connectivity. The two leaders affirmed that they will give top priority to the great relations, special friendship andcomprehensive cooperation between the two nations. They spoke highly ofbilateral coordination in key areas such as politics, security, nationaldefence, economy, trade, investment, culture, information andeducation-training. AsVietnam and Laos have basically controlled the COVID-19 pandemic, the PMs highlighted the need to further facilitate the flows of cargo and passengers between thetwo nations, therefore soon reaching consensus on plans to reopen mainland border gates andresume commercial flights while effectively carrying out key cooperationprojects. The leaders pledged to continue jointly preparing for important activities, including the43rd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee andthe seventh foreign ministerial consultation, as well as holding activitiesmarking the 45th anniversary of Laos' National Day and the 100th birth anniversary of Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane. Thetwo PMs hailed close collaboration and mutual support at regional and globalforums, especially within the framework of ASEAN and sub-regional cooperationmechanisms. TheLao PM spoke highly of Vietnam’s successes in its role as a non-permanent member of theUnited Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and ASEAN Chair 2020,contributing to the building of a united, resilient and prosperous ASEAN Community. He also vowed to continue cooperating with and supporting Vietnam in successfully holding the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings. The two leadersshared the importance of continuing to strengthen ASEAN solidarity andconsensus in the East Sea issue, coordinating in negotiations to finalise an effective andpractical Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea in line with international law,including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),contributing to the maintenance of a peaceful and stable environment in the region./.
Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong discussed Vietnam-Laos relations over the phone with his counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith on August 13, calling for continued coordination in the COVID-19 fight.
Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan and head of the External Affairs Commission of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Sounthone Sayachak held online talks on August 28.
Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Ngo Xuan Lich on September 8 held phone talks with his Lao counterpart General Chansamone Chanyalath to review bilateral defence cooperation in the recent past and discuss cooperation directions for the time to come.
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.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: VNA) 
