Cooperation in the economy, trade, and investment should become a key pillar in Vietnam-Laos relations amid efforts by both countries to strengthen ties in the future.  

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Laos Vice President Pany Yathotou. Source: VNA

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc gave the remarks at talks with Laos Vice President Pany Yathotou today [April 26].

According to Phuc, Vietnam and Laos are expected to continue to realize agreements reached between leaders of the two countries, including those signed during his visit to Laos last August.

Phuc called for the two countries to find new directions and financial sources for cooperation projects, especially strategic infrastructure ones to bolster economic connection.

“Laos should take advantage of Vietnam’s seaport networks and 17 free trade agreements that the country is a party, including the RCEP of which both countries are members, to expand export markets,” Phuc said.

Phuc also mentioned other priorities for cooperation, such as defense, security, training-education, healthcare, people-to-people exchange, and between localities.

Both countries should continue to support each other in multilateral frameworks, especially in maintaining unity and the central role of ASEAN in the region, he added.

Laos Vice President Pany Yathotou expressed her delight to visit Vietnam in her new capacity.

Yathotou highly regarded Vietnam’s achievements in socio-economic development and thanked the country for its continued support for Laos both in the fight for independence in the past and also in the ongoing development process.

She stressed the commitment to further nurturing the special relations between the two countries for the benefit of both countries and stability, development, and prosperity in the region.

At the meeting, both leaders highlighted the significance of the “Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity year 2022”, while agreeing to jointly organize events celebrating the 60^th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 45^th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Treaty.

Such events would further raise awareness among the people of the two countries, especially the young generations on the great friendship and unique relations between Vietnam and Laos.