On the afternoon of December 2 in Vientiane, Laos, a high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party was held, co-chaired by General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith.
At the meeting, General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith affirmed that they will continue to strengthen and deepen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos through existing practical and effective cooperation mechanisms, establish and organize new mechanisms that have been agreed upon by the two countries' senior leaders, thereby actively contributing to the implementation of each country's development goals.
The two sides affirmed that they will continue to deepen the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries, considering this a core pillar of overall strategic orientation for the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, affirming the consistent policy of the two Parties and the two States in always standing shoulder to shoulder, supporting and helping each other in the cause of innovation, construction, development and protection of the Fatherland.
Determining that the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam relationship is always a top priority in each country's foreign policy; a model relationship, with a long-term strategic scope, and one of the decisive factors for the successful revolutionary cause in each country.
The two sides affirmed that they will closely coordinate on strategic issues related to security and development, while preparing to successfully organize the National Congress of each Party.
The two leaders emphasized and affirmed the strategic importance of further strengthening the pillar of defense, security and foreign cooperation, in order to maintain political stability, security and social order; considering this one of the important pillars of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos.
The two sides affirmed to continue to maximize the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, while continuing to innovate and improve the quality of coordination in all fields.
On that basis, the two countries will consider building new appropriate cooperation mechanisms to further strengthen the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos.
At the meeting, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone discussed many specific orientations and measures to improve the effectiveness of economic and trade cooperation in the coming period, especially emphasizing the need to create a strong, breakthrough transformation in economic, trade and investment development cooperation, making this field a pillar of strategic solidarity, commensurate with the stature of political relations as well as the potential of each country.
The two sides agreed to promote the growth of bilateral trade turnover to soon reach the target of 5 billion USD and aim for the 10 billion USD mark in the coming time; at the same time, prioritize handling backlogs, promoting connectivity, in which the two sides will focus resources on implementing key infrastructure connection projects such as the Hanoi - Vientiane expressway project, promoting the implementation of the Vietnam - Laos Industrial Park model, border gate economy on the east - west economic corridor; building an investment, business and infrastructure connection environment to create favorable conditions to promote sustainable development of businesses of the two countries, enhancing mutual support between the two economies of Vietnam and Laos.
