Beijing (VNA) –Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Lao counterpartSaleumxay Kommasith on June 6 highlighted their countries’ mutual support inthe COVID-19 combat and identified ways to augment bilateral relations.

The bilateral meeting tookplace in China’s Chongqing city, on the sidelines of the Special ASEAN - ChinaForeign Ministers’ Meeting and the 6th Lancang - Mekong CooperationForeign Ministers’ Meeting.

Son expressed his delight atthe first official meeting between the foreign ministers of Vietnam and Laossince their respective countries’ national Party congresses and theestablishment of their new-term governments.

He spoke highly of the twosides’ coordination to effectively carry out many major bilateral diplomaticactivities, thus maintaining frequent meetings and contact at all levels despitethe COVID-19 pandemic.

Hailing bilateral cooperationand mutual assistance in the COVID-19 fight, he thanked the Lao Party and Stateleaders for extending sympathies to Vietnam on the pandemic situation inVietnam.

The minister also voiced hishope that Vietnam’s financial aid, medical supplies, and health experts sent toLaos will help with the latter’s efforts against the pandemic.

Kommasith congratulatedVietnam on the successful organisation of the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure amidcomplex COVID-19 developments in many localities.

He thanked the VietnameseParty, State, and people for their precious material and spiritual support forLaos in the pandemic combat, affirming that his country is always ready tostand side by side with Vietnam in line with the spirit of the countries’ greatfriendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.

To continue intensifyingbilateral relations, the two foreign ministers agreed to jointly promote mutualvisits and contact at all levels in various forms; make the best use of bilateralcooperation mechanisms, especially meetings of the Inter-GovernmentalCommittee; and unceasingly improve the effectiveness of cooperation in defence,security, trade, and investment.

They also discussedcoordination to step up important joint programmes, especially transportconnectivity projects so as to optimise the Vietnam - Laos InternationalSeaport (Vung Ang Seaport).

Both agreed to enhance tiesin border management to prevent illegal exit from and entry into theircountries, sustain cross-border trading, and soon review the one-stop-shopmodel applied at the Lao Bao - Densavan border gate pair.

Vietnam and Laos alsoconcurred in increasing coordination and mutual support at international,regional, and sub-regional forums and joining hands with other member countriesto firmly maintain ASEAN’s solidarity and strengthen the bloc’s centrality inorder to effective respond to common challenges.

Regarding their ministries’cooperation, the two foreign ministers pledged to continue implementing thecooperation agreement for 2021 - 2025, including organising politicalconsultations at the ministerial and deputy ministerial levels, boostinginformation sharing and strategic research, and holding more exchanges betweenthe ministries’ key units.

They emphasised theimportance of economic diplomacy, agreeing to increase experience sharing andeffectively carry out the action plan for cooperation in this field for 2020 -2025.

The two countries will earlystart preparations for celebrations of the 60th anniversary ofbilateral diplomatic ties and 45 years since the signing of the Vietnam – LaosTreaty of Friendship and Cooperation next year, according to the officials./.