Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh held apress conference and launched the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity andFriendship Year in Hanoi on January 8.

Addressing the joint press conferencefollowing their talks, PM Chinh said the two sides noted with satisfaction thatthe great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation betweenthe two Parties, States, and peoples have unceasingly been reinforced over the recentpast.

They agreed to push ahead with effectivelyimplementing the joint statement issued during an official visit to Vietnam byParty General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in June 2021,and the outcomes of an official trip to Laos by Vietnamese President NguyenXuan Phuc two months later. The two sides will coordinate with each other to successfullyorganise the 44th meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Inter-governmentalCommittee on January 10.

Both PMs agreed that their countries willassist each other to develop an independent and self-reliant economy, maintainthe solidarity and unanimity in ASEAN, and support Cambodia’s chairmanship ofASEAN. They will boost connectivity in road, railway, and sea infrastructure,especially Vung Ang Port, so as to turn Laos from a landlocked country into a littoral one. Besides, the Hanoi - Vientiane Expressway project will bepromoted.

At the press conference, PM Chinh said theVietnamese Party, State, and people will present their Lao counterparts with 1million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

For his part, the Lao leader said duringtheir talks, the two sides agreed to work closely together to nurture thecountries’ great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.In particular, they will step up cooperation in politics, diplomacy as well as defenceand security to jointly deal with new challenges, pay due attention tocooperation in protecting internal and border security, strengtheninfrastructure and tourism connectivity, boost partnerships in energy and cleanagriculture, and uphold coordination at regional and international forums.

PM Phankham Viphavanh thanked the VietnameseParty, State, and people for their precious and effective assistance for Laosduring the struggle for national liberation in the past, along with thenational development and defence at present.

On this ocassion, the two PMs launched the Vietnam- Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

PM Chinh held that the year 2022 holdsspecial importance to both countries, describing the launch as a historic eventhelping intensify their special solidarity.

His Lao counterpart said the two sides agreedto jointly organise meaningful celebrations of their National Days in 2022 soas to underline and popularise the special and great Vietnam - Laos friendshipto the world./.