PM hosts reception for Lao counterpart

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Politburo member and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Ha Noi, August 14, 2020

The Lao guests were in Viet Nam to attend the funeral of former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee Le Kha Phieu.

On behalf of the Lao delegation, PM Sisoulith respectfully conveyed his deep condolences and infinite mourning to the Party, State, National Assembly, Government and Fatherland Front of Viet Nam over the passing of the former Party leader.

For his part, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc sincerely thanked the leaders and people of Laos for their valuable feelings and gestures for former General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, considering this a vivid evidence of the Viet Nam-Laos special, faithful and pure solidarity in any circumstances.

On the occasion, the two PMs briefed each other on the socio-economic situation in each country, while reviewing the implementation of the agreements reached by the two countries’ senior leaders and the outcome of the 42ndmeeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) shakes hands with Lao Prime Minister  Thongloun Sisoulith at the Government Office in Ha Noi on August 14, 2020. Photo: VGP

They discussed the acceleration of key cooperation projects between the two countries, including the Lao National Assembly Building, friendship hospitals in the Lao provinces of Huaphanh and Xiengkhuang, and the Vung Ang Ports No. 1, 2 and 3, and talked measures to boost Viet Nam-Laos relations as well as strategic orientations for bilateral cooperation in the period of 2021-2025 and until 2030.

The Lao PM spoke highly of Viet Nam’s socio-economic achievements and thanked Viet Nam for actively supporting and working with Laos in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

PM Phuc congratulated Laos on its recent achievements, especially the country’s positive results in combating the disease.

The two sides agreed to continue coordinating closely in pandemic prevention and control, particularly in border areas, and direct their relevant agencies to devise appropriate plans to resume flights and cross-border travel between Viet Nam and Laos when the disease is basically controlled.

They also reached a consensus on enhancing the exchange of information and experience to successfully organize the National Party Congress in both countries next year, and accelerating cooperation in some key areas, including politics, defence, security, economics, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people exchange. 

By Vien Nhu