PMs launch Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh held a press conference and launched the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year in Hanoi on January 8.

Addressing the joint press conference following their talks, PM Chinh said the two sides noted with satisfaction that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples have unceasingly been reinforced over the recent past.

They agreed to push ahead with effectively implementing the joint statement issued during an official visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in June 2021, and the outcomes of an official trip to Laos by Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc two months later. The two sides will coordinate with each other to successfully organise the 44th meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Inter-governmental Committee on January 10.

Both PMs agreed that their countries will assist each other to develop an independent and self-reliant economy, maintain the solidarity and unanimity in ASEAN, and support Cambodia’s chairmanship of ASEAN. They will boost connectivity in road, railway, and sea infrastructure, especially Vung Ang Port, so as to turn Laos from a landlocked country into a littoral one. Besides, the Hanoi - Vientiane Expressway project will be promoted.

At the press conference, PM Chinh said the Vietnamese Party, State, and people will present their Lao counterparts with 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

For his part, the Lao leader said during their talks, the two sides agreed to work closely together to nurture the countries’ great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation. In particular, they will step up cooperation in politics, diplomacy as well as defence and security to jointly deal with new challenges, pay due attention to cooperation in protecting internal and border security, strengthen infrastructure and tourism connectivity, boost partnerships in energy and clean agriculture, and uphold coordination at regional and international forums.

PM Phankham Viphavanh thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, and people for their precious and effective assistance for Laos during the struggle for national liberation in the past, along with the national development and defence at present.

On this ocassion, the two PMs launched the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

PM Chinh held that the year 2022 holds special importance to both countries, describing the launch as a historic event helping intensify their special solidarity.

His Lao counterpart said the two sides agreed to jointly organise meaningful celebrations of their National Days in 2022 so as to underline and popularise the special and great Vietnam - Laos friendship to the world./.