Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) - The Vietnam-Laos relationship has remained pure and faithfuland become even more special amid COVID-19, a diplomat has said.
Vietnam and Laosare among very few countries to have maintained in-person meetings and visitsat the highest level given the pandemic, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos NguyenBa Hung told the media.
Last year, Lao PrimeMinister Thongloun Sisoulith visited Vietnam three times, in June, August and December,while Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc paid a visit to the neighbouring country in May, he went on.
Theinter-governmental committee convened two meetings within a year for the firsttime, demonstrating the two governments’ promptness in reviewing and promoting bilateralties before Laos’ 11th National Party Congress and Vietnam’s 13th National Party Congress, he said.
Hung emphasisedthe two countries’ mutual support in pandemic-related issues, saying PM Phuc vowedto help Laos with medical supplies during phone talks with his Lao counterparttwo days after the first COVID-19 case was detected in the country.
Two weeks later,Vietnam sent experts to Laos to share experience in combating the pandemic, whileVietnamese ministries, agencies, and localities also played a part in thisregard.
Of particularnote, the two countries have facilitated cross-border travel by citizens aswell as trade in goods in line with COVID-19 prevention and control measures,with two-way trade estimated at nearly 1 billion USD last year.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung (Photo: VNA)
The ambassadorsaid Vietnam and Laos will further deepen their political ties in 2021 whileenhancing cooperation in national defence, security, and external affairs.
They will alsoraise the efficiency of cooperation in economy, culture, education, health care,and science-technology, and expand exchanges between citizens as well aslocalities.
He suggestedintensifying mutual support in dealing with the consequences of COVID-19 inorder to quickly resume economic growth.
According to theambassador, Laos is the largest recipient of Vietnam’s overseas investment, amountingto 4.22 billion USD to date in 414 projects.
Apart fromcitizen protection, which is considered a top priority in the face of thepandemic, the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos has paid attention to facilitatingVietnamese investment in the country through various activities, he said./.
The Vietnamese and Lao Governments are organising the 43rd session of their inter-governmental committee, affirming both countries’ diplomatic priority of unceasingly developing the bilateral relationship of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith co-chaired the 43rd meeting of the Vietnam-Lao Inter-Governmental Committee on bilateral cooperation in Hanoi on December 6.
The Lao Embassy in Vietnam, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, and the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association had a working session with the Hanoi Capital High Command on January 4.
Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong held phone talks with the newly-elected General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Thongloun Sisoulith on January 16.
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (Photo: VNA) 
Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung (Photo: VNA) 
