Lao Vice President Pany Yathotou (L) receives a bouquet from a Vietnamese girl. (Photo: VNA) Speaking at the talks held following a welcoming ceremony for the LaoVice President, Xuan expressed her belief that the visit willcontribute to consolidating the great friendship, special solidarity andcomprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
Xuan congratulated the Lao Party, State and peopleon the great and comprehensive achievements they have recorded over the pastnearly 50 years, saying she believes that Laos will successfully implement theResolution adopted at the 11th Congress of the Lao People's RevolutionaryParty (LPRP) and the 2021-2026 socio-economic development plan, effectivelycontrol the COVID-19 pandemic, recover socio-economic activities and continueto develop sustainably.
For her part, Pany Yathotou lauded Vietnam’sachievements in reform, national development and international integration, anddescribed them as an important source of encouragement and lessons for Laos.
She used the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party,State and people for their valuable and timely support for Laos during thefight against the pandemic.
Given the complex developments on the world stage,the two Vice Presidents shared the view of consolidating the close, friendlyneighbourliness and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos to ensuresecurity and development in each country, as well as peace, stability andcooperation in the region.
Both noted their delight at the new developments in bilateralcooperation across multiple spheres, saying despite obstacles caused by thepandemic, the two sides have maintained regular delegation exchanges andhigh-level visits, made use of major bilateral cooperation mechanisms, andimplemented cooperation agreements and plans in important areas.
Regarding economic ties, they said in the firstquarter of this year, two-way trade reached 403.6 million USD, up 19.22 percentyear-on-year. With 214 projects worth about 5.33 billion USD in Laos, Vietnamcontinues to be one of the biggest investors in the neighbouring country.
The Vice Presidents agreed to maintain regularhigh-level visits and meetings through multiple channels, coordinate toeffectively implement agreements signed at the 44th meeting of theVietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee, especially for bilateral cooperationthrough 2021-2025 and the cooperation strategy for 2021-2030.
The two sides will work together to organiseactivities within the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and FriendshipYear to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of the bilateral ties(September 5), and 45 years of the signing of the Treaty of Amity andCooperation (July 18).
They also agreed to strengthen collaboration innational defence and security, transport, education-training and culture-sports,as well as cooperation between localities.
The officials affirmed their resolve to elevate the two countries' economic ties on par with their special relationship, continue to addressdifficulties facing businesses, and expand infrastructure connectivity intransport, energy, telecommunications and the digital economy.
They will also work to promote trade at bordergates, and handle issues regarding the citizenship of free migrants and thosewith undocumented marriages.
The Vice Presidents exchanged views on a number ofregional and international issues of shared concern, and concurred to tightentheir coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly theUnited Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Mekongsub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
Vietnam and Laos will maintain their commonprinciples, values and stances on matters directly related to regional peace andsecurity, they said, stressing that disputes in the region and the world shouldbe settled by peaceful measures and international law.
This is the first official visit to Vietnam by PanyYathotou in her capacity as Vice President of Laos.
On this occasion, Pany Yathotou invited herVietnamese counterpart to pay an official visit to Laos at an appropriate time.Xuan accepted the invitation with pleasure.
Earlier the same day, Pany Yathotou laid wreaths atPresident Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the Heroic Martyrs' Monument in Hanoi./.
VNA
