VIENTIANE (ANN/THE VIENTIANE TIMES) – Laos and Vietnam reinforced their longstanding partnership with the signing of seven bilateral agreements, marking a significant step towards enhancing collaboration across various sectors.
The ceremony, held at the National Assembly in Vientiane, was attended by Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and Vietnamese President To Lam, who is currently on a two-day state visit to Laos.
President Thongloun, also serving as Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee, extended the invitation to President To Lam and his delegation. The agreements, spanning key areas of mutual interest, underscore the depth of the 62-year diplomatic relationship between the two nations. The visit concludes on Friday, with both leaders aiming to strengthen ties and explore new avenues for cooperation.
The cooperation pacts include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the establishment of a citizen and ID (identification card) management system in Laos.
President Thongloun and President To Lam pressed buttons to launch the initiative.
The two sides also signed an extradition treaty and a cooperation plan agreement between the Justice Ministries of both nations.
Four other pacts concern economic spheres. They are an MOU on aviation cooperation between the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport and VietJet Air, an amended concession agreement relating to the Sekhaman III hydropower project, an amended agreement on the excavation and processing of bauxite and the construction of an aluminium manufacturing plant in Dakcheung district, Xekong province, and an amended agreement on the survey and exploration of antimony.
Earlier in the day, the two heads of state held talks shortly after an official welcome ceremony at the National Assembly.
President Thongloun congratulated his guest on his election as the President of Vietnam by the National Assembly in May and said he greatly appreciated his choosing Laos for his first overseas visit since he assumed the presidency.
The visit symbolises the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy on attaching great importance to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
Through President To Lam, the Lao leader conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee, Nguyen Phu Trong, and other Party and state leaders, as well as the Vietnamese people.
The two presidents said they highly valued the growing comprehensive cooperation between their countries. Cooperation in the fields of politics and foreign affairs have strengthened significantly and remain unwavering, with the two sides enjoying mutual trust.
They also noted the strong progress made in carrying out cooperation projects and agreements over past years.
The value of two-way trade between Laos and Vietnam in the first quarter of 2024 reached USD476.8 million, an increase of 12 per cent over the same period last year.
Vietnam has so far invested in 245 projects in Laos with a total registered capital of USD5.5 billion, placing it among the top three foreign investors in Laos.
Leaders and various levels of delegations from both sides have maintained regular contact and made reciprocal visits.
The two presidents agreed that both governments should made a greater effort to enhance and expand cooperation in all areas.
The Lao leader, on behalf of the Party, state and multiethnic people of Laos, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Party, state and people of Vietnam for extending invaluable assistance and support to Laos.
President Thongloun expressed confidence that President To Lam’s visit marked a big stride forward in enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, states and peoples.
For his part, President To Lam expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Lao president, government and people for the very warm hospitality extended to himself and his delegation.
The Vietnamese leader expressed his country’s commitment to supporting Laos during its chairmanship of ASEAN this year.
The leaders also briefed each other on socio-economic developments in their respective countries and exchanged views on regional and global issues of common interest.
On the same occasion, President To Lam, on behalf of the Vietnamese government, handed over 20 Vinfast Electric Cars to the Lao government, represented by President Thongloun, for use during Laos’ ASEAN affairs this year.
Early on Thursday morning, President To Lam laid a wreath at the Unknown Soldier Monument in Vientiane.
On the same day, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and the President of the Lao National Assembly, Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, received President To Lam at their offices.
In the evening President Thongloun hosted a lavish dinner in honour of President To Lam and his delegation.
