Vietnam, Laos issue joint statement

On the occasion of the official visit to Vietnam by Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith from October 1-3, the two countries have issued a joint statement on enhancing the relations of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the new situation. The joint statement said during the visit, PM Thongloun Sisoulith has held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc, paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, and met with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. The two PMs witnessed the signing of eight cooperative documents. According to the joint statement, leaders of the two countries exchanged information on the socio-economic development and external relations of their respective country, and discussed in depth directions and measures to strengthen and enhance the relations of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the time ahead. The two sides affirmed they will continue to work closely with and support each other in the cause of national defence and development of each country, both in bilateral framework and at regional and international forums. In the context of great fluctuations and challenges in the international and regional situations, the two sides emphasized the vital importance of the Vietnam-Laos relations of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation which they consider an immutable rule and the motive power of the revolutionary cause of each country. On this foundation, the two sides agreed to maintain the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels and through all channels in a more streamlined, effective and substantive manner, with emphasis on the sharing of experience and seeking solutions to difficulties and obstacles. They again underlined the importance of close cooperation in national defence-security, and agreed to give each other's firm support to counter increasingly diverse and complicated security-defence challenges. They reached consensus on coordination to well implement treaties and bilateral agreements on border and territory. The two sides agreed to continue promoting and enhancing the effectiveness of economic, cultural, scientific-technological cooperation on the basis of bringing into full play each country's strength and potential. They highly valued the positive changes in bilateral trade relations in the recent past, and agreed to make joint efforts to further expand the ties towards a stable annual growth rate of 10-15 percent in the trade value. The two sides paid special attention to cooperation in education-training and human resources development, agreeing to continue coordinating for the effective implementation of cooperation agreements on education and training. They agreed to coordinate to promote cooperation in the framework of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam development triangle and effectively carry out the Action Plan for Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Economic Connectivity up to 2030 which was adopted at the 10th CLV Summit in Hanoi in March last year. The two sides agreed to share information in a timely manner and closely coordinate with each other and with related countries and international organisations for the management and sustainable use of water resources of the Mekong River for the common interests of the peoples in the sub-region. They agreed to continue with the effective coordination and mutual support at regional and international mechanisms, especially the ASEAN, the UN, WTO, ASEM, Non-Alignment Movement and Mekong sub-region cooperative mechanisms, including the Mekong River Commission. They affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, the rule of law, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and of settling the disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They reiterated the ASEAN's principled stance on the East Sea which was expressed in recent statements of the grouping, especially the Joint Communiqué of the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Bangkok in July, 2019. PM Thongloun Sisoulith invited PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse to make an official visit to Laos at a convenient time. PM Phuc accepted the invitation with pleasure.

(Source: VNA)