Vietnam, Laos work on measures for 2016-2020 cooperation
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Somsavat Lengsavad sought measures to materialize cooperation contents agreed for 2016-2020.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Lao counterpart Somsavat Lengsavad (Source: VGP)
Hanoi (VNA)𝕴 – Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Somsavat Lengsavad sought measures to materialize cooperation contents agreed for 2016-2020 during their talks in Hanoi on December 6.
They reviewed what had achieved in 2011 – 2015, agreeing that the two countries’ traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation have constantly been promoted in a practical manner.
Political ties have been increasingly bolstered and consensus has been shared at regional and international cooperation forums, they said, pointing to the efficiency of annual meetings between the two countries’ Political Bureaus and the Intergovernmental Committee.
The two countries have worked closely in defence and security and in building their shared border of peace and comprehensive development, contributing to safeguarding their political stability and social order, they agreed.
Vietnam has so far licensed 258 projects investing in Laos with a combined capital of around 5.36 billion USD. The figure included 14 projects that were newly licensed and had their capital added by a total sum of 1.16 billion USD over the past 11 months.
Trade has grown as the two countries signed a new bilateral trade pact, a border trade agreement and are working on a master border trade development plan. Both signed a memorandum of understanding on a cooperation strategy in transport for 2016-2025 with a vision towards 2030.
Cooperation in education and human resources development continued to be prioritised, the officials stressed.
Over the past five years, Vietnam has given 3.1 trillion VND in aid to Laos to support the latter’s training. Apart from the official aid, Vietnamese ministries, sectors, localities and businesspeople have together provided Laos with 6.3 trillion VND.
For 2016-2020, the two countries need to reinforce the political relations and the exchange of visits in various forms in order to promptly learn and address problems arising during the implementation of cooperation agreements, the officials said.
Connections at regional and international forums will be stepped up, as will the settlement of issues relating to the respective countries’ expatriates, they stressed.
Vietnam will support Laos during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2016 as well as work together with the neighbor closely at multilateral frameworks, especially in the formation of the ASEAN Community on December 31, 2015.
The two countries will strengthen security and defence affiliation to ensure their political stability, internal security and social order; speed up key projects to be implemented in shared border; and work hard to deal with cross-border trafficking of drugs.
They continues screening Vietnam-invested projects in Laos along with deploying reached agreements on border trade and the memorandum of understanding on transport, and boosting cooperation in agriculture and rural development, education, human resources development, personnel training, and information sharing.
The talks were part of efforts to prepare a report of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee to be submitted to the annual meeting of the two countries’ Political Bureaus and the 38 th session of the Vietnam-Lao Intergovernmental Committee.-VNA
Officials of Vietnam and Laos have agreed to further promote all-around ties between the two countries, especially in defence, security, economy, trade, investment, education and culture.
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.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.