Vietnam will continue to stand by Laos and provide maximum support to help the country overcome its current challenges, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at a meeting with Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith on October 23.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Lao Party General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith in Kazan, Russia, on October 23. Photo: VNA

The meeting took place during Prime Minister Chinh's visit to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.

Prime Minister Chinh congratulated Laos on successfully fulfilling the role of ASEAN Chair in 2024 and hosting the 45th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

He noted that Laos is a responsible member with an increasingly important voice in the international community, contributing to regional and global peace, cooperation and prosperity.

For his part, Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith appreciated Vietnam's wholehearted and comprehensive support for Laos during its tenure as ASEAN Chair in 2024.

The Lao Party, Government and people deeply appreciate Vietnam's selfless and disinterested assistance in both the nation's liberation struggle and socio-economic development.

Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun also extended his warm congratulations to Vietnam's newly appointed President Luong Cuong and expressed his hope for an official state visit by President Cuong to Laos in the near future.

Looking ahead, the two leaders agreed to push forward major joint projects to deepen the Vietnam-Laos relations, especially in defense, security, trade and economic cooperation.

The two sides vowed to expand bilateral cooperation and stressed that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos are of the highest priority.

Vietnam-Laos relations are an invaluable asset to the revolutionary cause of the two nations that must be preserved and passed on to future generations, the two leaders said.

They also agreed to work closely to strengthen solidarity and economic cooperation among the governments and people of the three countries-Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.