Top Vietnamese, Lao Leaders Highlight Strategic Significance of Special Ties

8:46:39 AM | 6/29/2021

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith underlined the significance of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos.

During their face-to-face talks in Ha Noi on Monday, the two leaders shared the view that the bilateral relationship is an invaluable asset and a factor guaranteeing the existence and development of the two countries.

They vowed to continue working together to nurture and deepen the bilateral ties across all fields in any circumstances on the basis of promoting the spirit of independence, self-reliance, equal and win-win cooperation for prosperity of each country and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and the world as well.

Both sides underlined the need to further deepen political and tighten cooperation over strategic issues related to security and development of each country and stay active in sharing information and experience in Party building, socio-economic development and international integration process.

The two leaders agreed to double efforts in creating breakthroughs and improving the effectiveness of economic, cultural, scientific and technological cooperation while strengthening national defense and security ties and maintaining close coordination in the fight against COVID-19.

The two Party chiefs also pledged to enhance information exchange, consultation, coordination and mutual support over regional and international issues and multilateral activities, to promote the ASEAN centrality and the role of ASEAN-led mechanisms and others such as the United Nations, Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, the World Trade Organization, and the Asian-Europe Meeting in order to contribute to safeguarding peace, cooperation and development.

They committed to fostering cooperation with Cambodia in implementing the agreement between the three Prime Ministers on the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam development triangle and the plan of action on economic connectivity between the three countries through 2030.

The sides agreed to bolster cooperation and coordination with each other and with relevant international organizations for sustainable and effective management, development and use of the Mekong water resources.

They stressed on the importance of maintaining peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea, settling disputes through peaceful measures based on international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, working with relevant parties to promote full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and formulate an effective and substantial Code of Conduct in the East Sea in line with international law.

After the talks, Nguyen and Sisoulith witnessed the signing ceremony of several cooperative documents between the two countries, including a strategic agreement on Viet Nam-Laos cooperation for the 2021-2030 period.

Later the same day, Sisoulith also met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue as part of his ongoing two-day official friendship visit to Viet Nam.

Source: VGP