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Foreign Ministers Bui Thanh Son of Vietnam (R) and Saleumxay Kommasith
of Laos meet in China’s Chongqing city on June 6 (Photo: VNA)
The bilateral meeting took place in China’s Chongqing city, on the sidelines of
the Special ASEAN - China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 6th Lancang -
Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Son expressed his delight at the first official meeting between the foreign
ministers of Vietnam and Laos since their respective countries’ national Party
congresses and the establishment of their new-term governments.
He spoke highly of the two sides’ coordination to effectively carry out many
major bilateral diplomatic activities, thus maintaining frequent meetings and
contact at all levels despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hailing bilateral cooperation and mutual assistance in the COVID-19 fight, he
thanked the Lao Party and State leaders for extending sympathies to Vietnam on
the pandemic situation in Vietnam.
The minister also voiced his hope that Vietnam’s financial aid, medical
supplies, and health experts sent to Laos will help with the latter’s efforts
against the pandemic.
Kommasith congratulated Vietnam on the successful organisation of the elections
of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for
the 2021-2026 tenure amid complex COVID-19 developments in many localities.
He thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, and people for their precious material
and spiritual support for Laos in the pandemic combat, affirming that his
country is always ready to stand side by side with Vietnam in line with the
spirit of the countries’ great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive
cooperation.
To continue intensifying bilateral relations, the two foreign ministers agreed
to jointly promote mutual visits and contact at all levels in various forms;
make the best use of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially meetings of
the Inter-Governmental Committee; and unceasingly improve the effectiveness of
cooperation in defence, security, trade, and investment.
They also discussed coordination to step up important joint programmes,
especially transport connectivity projects so as to optimise the Vietnam - Laos
International Seaport (Vung Ang Seaport).
Both agreed to enhance ties in border management to prevent illegal exit from
and entry into their countries, sustain cross-border trading, and soon review
the one-stop-shop model applied at the Lao Bao - Densavan border gate pair.
Vietnam and Laos also concurred in increasing coordination and mutual support at
international, regional, and sub-regional forums and joining hands with other
member countries to firmly maintain ASEAN’s solidarity and strengthen the bloc’s
centrality in order to effective respond to common challenges.
Regarding their ministries’ cooperation, the two foreign ministers pledged to
continue implementing the cooperation agreement for 2021 - 2025, including
organising political consultations at the ministerial and deputy ministerial
levels, boosting information sharing and strategic research, and holding more
exchanges between the ministries’ key units.
They emphasised the importance of economic diplomacy, agreeing to increase
experience sharing and effectively carry out the action plan for cooperation in
this field for 2020 - 2025.
The two countries will early start preparations for celebrations of the 60th
anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and 45 years since the signing of the
Vietnam – Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation next year, according to the
officials.
Source: VNA
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