Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dungand his Lao counterpart Khamphau Onthavanh co-chaired the fourth politicalconsultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Vientiane on July16.

Atthe event, both sides expressed their delight at the positive progress in theVietnam-Laos relations, with a wide range of important cooperative activitiesin the first half of 2019, including the official friendship visit to Laos byVietnamese Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong in February.

Theyagreed to boost collaboration between the two foreign ministries, contributingto the bilateral ties. Accordingly, they will coordinate to ensure successfulvisits of high-ranking leaders, urge ministries, branches and sectors toeffectively implement the inked documents, and make meticulous preparations forthe annual sixth foreign ministerial-level consultation in Vietnam.

Spendinga lot of time discussing the global and regional situation, the two sidesreached consensus on working closely to have effective response to emergingchallenges like stagnant economic growth of the world, strategic competitionamong world powers, and trade disputes.

Regardinginitiatives and strategies of powerful countries in the region, both sidesstressed that these initiatives and strategies must contribute to regionalpeace, stability, cooperation and development; respect international laws aswell as independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations; andensure the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Touchingon cooperation in the ASEAN framework, they said that the bloc has acquiredimportant achievements in building a strong ASEAN community, which has affirmedits position in the Asian-Pacific region. They consented to enhance cooperationto consolidate solidarity within the bloc, and improve the bloc’s capability toadapt to both opportunities and challenges.

KhamphauOnthavanh congratulated Vietnam’s diplomatic achievements such as successfullyhosting the second DPRK-USA Summit, and securing a non-permanent seat in theUnited Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Meanwhile,Dung welcomed the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send delegations toexchange information and share experience in the fields of mutual interests.

Informingthe Lao sides about Vietnam’s preparations for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020and the position as a non-permanent member of the UNSC during the 2020-2021tenure, Dung highlighted Vietnam, as a constructive and responsible member,attaches much importance to carrying out activities and promoting theimplementation of cooperative programmes and initiatives so as to make contributionsto peace, stability, cooperation and development in the ASEAN, region, andworld at large.

TheVietnamese Deputy Minister hoped Laos will cooperate and coordinate closely withVietnam in the fields of mutual interest.

Inthe morning of July 17, Dung paid a courtesy visit to Lao Minister of ForeignAffairs Saleumxay Kommasith, during which the latter spoke highly of the politicalconsultation mechanism.

The Lao Minister rejoiced at the fruitful Vietnam-Laos relations, hoping thatthe two foreign ministries will promote the concretisation of high-levelagreements, helping elevate the ties to a new height.

Laoswill work closely with Vietnam when the country plays the role as the ASEANChair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UNSC during 2020-2021, hepromised.
Dung,for his part, affirmed Vietnam stands ready to share experience and coordinatewith Laos at regional and international forums, including the ASEAN and theUN.-VNA