Vientiane (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quan🌊g arrived in Vientiane on June 12, beginning his three-day State visit to Laos at the invitation of Lao Party General Secretary and Presidꦇent Bounnhang Vorachith.

Following an official welcome ceremony the same day, the Vietnamese leader held talks with Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith, who expressed his belief that the visit would be a milestone contributing to consolidating and further developing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples. The host said the Vietnamese President’s selection of Laos for his first overseas trip after taking office demonstrates the importance Vietnam attaches to its relations with Laos. For his part, President Tran Dai Quang expressed his delight at remarkable achievements the Lao Party, State and people have attained over the recent past. Congratulating the Lao side on the successful 10 th Lao Party Congress, he noted his belief that the Lao people will fulfill all tasks and targets set at the congress to advance firmly on the path towards socialism. The two sides agreed to push forward the implementation of agreements reached by leaders of the two countries and outcomes of the 38 th meeting of the inter-governmental committee on Vietnam-Lao cooperation, as well as the cooperation plans between the two governments for 2016, the Vietnam-Lao cooperation treaty for 2016-2020, the joint statement issued during the recent Vietnam visit by Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith, along with the outcomes of the Vietnam visit by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and the Laos visit by President Tran Dai Quang. The two leaders also reached a consensus on continuing with delegation exchanges, maximizing the operation of bilateral cooperative mechanisms, and enhancing cooperation efficiency across all fields. They renewed the resolve to well carry out the protocol on bilateral defence and security cooperation for 2016-2020, the protocol on border and border markers and the agreement on border and border gate management regulations signed early this year, and the new agreements on trade and border trade between the two countries. The two countries will continue to enhance the connectivity and mutual supplementation of their economies while promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges and coordinating to hold activities to mark the 55 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relationship and the 40 th year of the Vietnam-Lao Amity and Cooperation Treaty next year. The two leaders shared the view that the regional and world situation is seeing many complicated developments and agreed that the two countries should keep a close watch of the situation and maintain discussions to help each other ensure security and stability in their countries. They affirmed that the two countries will coordinate closely at international and regional forums such as the United Nations, the ASEAN and sub-regional mechanisms. President Tran Dai Quang pledged Vietnam’s active and full support of Laos as Chair of the ASEAN. The two sides reiterated the intention to coordinate closely to strengthen solidarity among the ASEAN, elevating the bloc’s central role in the regional security structure. They underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea, and vowed to work together with other ASEAN countries for the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea based on international law, the full and effective observance of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world as a whole. The two leaders also agreed to promote coordination with each other and with other countries and international organisations for the sustainable and effective management and use of water resource in the Mekong River. On the occasion of the visit, President Tran Dai Quang presented Sekong Province of Laos a school worth 1 million USD.-VNA