Cultivating Vietnam-Laos relations ‘unique’

Vietnam is always ready to support and accompany Laos

On the morning of May 16, the ceremony to welcome the President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue The official visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (May 15 – 17) took place in Vientiane. Immediately after the welcoming ceremony, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held talks with Lao National Assembly Speaker Saysomphone Phomvihan.

Lao National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihan warmly welcomed and appreciated the significance of the visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue – the first official visit of a senior Vietnamese leader to Laos in the “Year of Solidarity and Friendship”. Vietnam – Laos, Laos – Vietnam 2022″ celebrates the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962) and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam – Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (July 18, 1977).

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Lao National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihan at the conference Gia Han

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his pleasure to return to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for the first time in his new capacity; At the same time, affirming that Vietnam always wholeheartedly supports, is ready to support and accompany Laos to overcome all difficulties and challenges, continue to develop sustainably, have an increasing role and position in the international arena. economic.

The two countries’ National Assembly Chairmen emphasized that, in the face of current complicated developments in the international and regional situation, the two sides clearly see the value of maintaining and cultivating the close and faithful neighborly relationship. “unique” for the security and development of Vietnam and Laos, considering it a law of development, of vital significance and one of the decisive factors to ensure the victory of the revolutionary cause. every countries.

Two President of Congress He also expressed his delight at the good development of cooperative relations between the two countries and the two National Assembly. Even in the context of the epidemic, the two sides still maintained the momentum of trade and investment development. Two-way import-export turnover in the first 4 months of 2022 reached 558.2 million USD, up 20.2% over the same period in 2021. Vietnam maintained its position as the third largest direct investment country in Laos, with 214 The project is still valid and the total registered capital is about 5.33 billion USD.

Serious and effective implementation of agreements

In the coming time, the two sides agreed to work together to seriously and effectively implement the agreements and results of recent high-level visits, including the Strategic Agreement on Cooperation between Vietnam and Laos for the 2021-2030 period. and Agreement on Cooperation Vietnam – Laos bilateral period 2021 – 2025. The two sides affirmed to continue to strengthen defense, security and border cooperation to effectively deal with traditional and non-traditional security challenges; improve the effectiveness of education – training cooperation and human resource development High Quality. Along with that, strengthen cooperation between localities, people-to-people exchanges; promoting trade and investment cooperation, connecting the two economies; coordinate to find solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles for cooperation projects between the two countries.

Regarding cooperation between the two legislative bodies, the two leaders agreed to step up the exchange of delegations and contacts between the leaders of the National Assembly and between the National Assembly committees of the two countries; coordinate in organizing conferences and seminars to share experiences in the fields of activities of the National Assembly as well as in handling issues in order to ensure macroeconomic stability and develop specialized legal frameworks. to support economic recovery and development; closely cooperate in monitoring and promoting the effective implementation of cooperation agreements and plans between the two Governments.

The two National Assembly chairmen affirmed their continued efforts with ASEAN member countries to constantly strengthen solidarity, unity and ASEAN’s central role, upholding the common principles, values ​​and stance on issues. directly related to regional peace and security; agree on the settlement of disputes in the region and worldincluding the East Sea issue, by peaceful means and on the basis of international law.

After the talks, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Lao National Assembly Speaker Saysomphone Phomvihan witnessed the signing ceremony and exchange of cooperation documents, including: Cooperation agreement between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the National Assembly of Laos in the second half of the year. the period 2022 – 2026; Cooperation agreement between Vietnam Ethnic Council and Lao People’s Committee; Cooperation agreement between the Office of the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Office of the National Assembly of Laos; Cooperation agreement between the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs of the Government of Vietnam and the Lao Front for national construction.