Vietnam, Laos enjoy flourishing bilateral ties

During their talks in Hanoi on October 1 following the official welcome ceremony for the Lao PM, the two government leaders expressed their joy at the strong and comprehensive development of bilateral relations in the recent past.
They consented to facilitate all-level visit exchange via the Party, State, Government and National Assembly channels, intensify the sharing of experience in socio-economic development in each nation, effectively carry out the outcomes of the 41st meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, and incentivize ministries, agencies and localities to expand relations.

The two sides pledged to continue realizing border treaties and agreements, promptly preventing border violations, combating trans-border crimes and expediting the signing of agreements on national defence and security.

The agreed that a conference reviewing the effectiveness of the one-stop shop model at Lao Bao – Densavan international border gates, and a conference scrutinizing the implementation of the 2019 agreement on the settlement of irregular migration and undocumented marriages in border areas will also be planned in the time to come.

The two PMs were appreciative of the great progress in trade ties between the two countries and consented to continue promoting trade promotion measures to elevate the annual two-way trade turnover by 10-15%, effectively implement trade agreements, soon sign a memorandum of understanding on border trade infrastructure development and connectivity, and popularise tax and trade incentives.

A score of effective measures will be taken to ensure the progress and quality of Vietnamese projects in Laos, they said while agreeing to hold more exchanges between leaders of the Lao government and the Vietnamese business community in Laos.

Host and guest laid stress on the importance of boosting education – training cooperation and high-quality human resources development, adding the history of Vietnam – Laos special ties into curricula in the two countries’ schools, strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges and well carrying out the labour cooperation agreement.

The Lao PM vowed to simplify procedures and lower costs regarding the grant of permits to Vietnamese workers.

The two leaders shared various common assessments of the regional and international situation, as well as the coordination between the two countries in the time ahead, including Vietnam’s assumption of the role of the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.

With regard to regional and global issues of common concern, they affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, law abidance, maritime and aviation safety and freedom, the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They reaffirmed the ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea issue mentioned in the bloc’s recent declarations, especially the joint communiqué at the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bangkok in July, according to which the parties concurred to consolidate mutual trust, exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that could further complicate the situation, refrain from the use of force or threat to use force, prevent militarisation, fully and seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards soon reaching a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in conformity with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Both sides pledged to continue working with member states to foster prosperity, solidarity and self-resilience of the ASEAN Community, enhance ASEAN’s central role in regional architecture towards a region of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity based on rules.

After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of eight cooperation agreements on economics, investment, education, finance, banking, energy and aviation.

On the occasion, the two sides issued a joint declaration on the enhancement of the Vietnam – Laos ties of great friendship, special solidarity and all-around cooperation in the new situation.

Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and his delegation are on an official visit to Vietnam from October 1-3 at the invitation of PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.