Vietnam-Laos cooperative relations have been developing strongly in both scale and depth for the mutual benefit.
On the morning of September 9, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, his wife and a delegation from the Government arrived in Vientiane for their official friendship visit to Laos.
After the welcome ceremony, talks were held between PM Nguyen Tan Dung and his Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong in which both sides agreed upon a score of measures to consolidate and develop the special relationship and comprehensive cooperation, and implement cooperation agreements on economics, trade and investment, with the aim of bringing bilateral trade turnover to US$2 billion by 2015.
The two PMs agreed to increase closer cooperation in national security and defence, culture, education, transport and energy, accelerate the implementation of projects to upgrade border markers between Vietnam and Laos, and improve the quality of cooperation between the two countries. They also decided to enhance cooperation in labour, healthcare, agriculture and rural development.
They asked the two foreign ministries to devise practical measures for celebration activities in 2012 - the year of Vietnam-Laos solidarity and friendship.
Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, Mr. Dung and Mr. Thammavong noted their satisfaction with the closer and more effective cooperation in exchanging information and coordinating activities at UN, ASEAN and ASEM forums and other international and regional forums.
Vietnam will continue supporting Laos in joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) soon and successfully organising the 9th Asia- Europe Meeting (ASEM9) scheduled to take place in late 2012.
On the same day, PM Dung met with Lao Party General Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone and Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotu.
During the talks with Mr. Sayasone, PM Dung praised the tremendous achievements Lao people have recorded under the clear-sighted leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP).
The Vietnamese Government will do its best to strengthen the time-honoured friendship and comprehensive cooperation and effectively implement cooperation agreements agreed by the two countries’ political bureaus, practically benefiting both countries, said Mr. Dung.
Lao State President Sayasone praised PM Dung’s visit as an important event, showing the traditional close-knit relations between the two countries.
Mr. Sayasone said the Party, State and people of Laos will do their utmost to bring the ties of traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation to a higher level.
He said he hoped the two countries will continue to cooperate efficiently in economics, trade and investment and prepare well for the celebratory activities in 2012.
At the meeting with NA Chairwoman Pany Yathotu, PM Dung briefed her on the outstanding results of bilateral cooperation in politics, external relations, national security and defence, trade and investment.
Mrs. Yathotu said PM Dung’s visit is a clear manifestation of the ties of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos and hoped that both countries will continue enhancing collaboration in various fields to foster their time-honoured friendship.
In another development, PM Dung and his Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong attended the inauguration of the representative office of the Bank for Investment Development of Vietnam (BIDV) in Vientiane.
In his speech, he called on Vietnamese businesses to intensify their effective investments and abide by the laws in Laos to contribute to the socio-economic development in each country.
PM Dung also laid wreaths at the Unknown Soldiers’ Memorial and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos.