Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnam and Laos willcontinue giving the top priority and exerting all-out efforts to developbilateral ties to ensure the success of each nation’s revolution, thecountries’ vice presidents affirmed during their talks in Vientiane on June 19.

At the talks after the official welcome ceremonyfor Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, Lao Vice President Phankham Viphavanhhighlighted the visit’s significance to the two countries’ relations, notingthat the Party, State and people of Laos always keep in mind the enormous andeffective assistance Vietnam has given to them throughout history.

Vice President Thinh, who is on her firstofficial visit to Laos from June 19 to 22, reiterated that the Party, State andpeople of Vietnam always treasure the sincere friendship and mutual supportwith Laos.

The two sides briefed each other about theirrespective countries’ security, political and socio-economic situation, stressingthat amid numerous challenges in the world and the region, Vietnam and Laosshould further intensify their time-tested friendship, special solidarity andcomprehensive cooperation, which are the priceless asset that needs to bemaintained and passed down to future generations.

The vice presidents noted with satisfaction theflourishing cooperation in all aspects, including politics, security, defence,economy, trade, investment, education, culture, and people-to-people exchange.They said the frequent mutual visits by leaders of the countries’ Parties,States, Governments and National Assemblies are a vivid demonstration of thepure, faithful and trustworthy connections between Vietnam and Laos.

It is necessary to continue implementing theagreements reached by their leaders well, they said, adding that building onthe success of the Year of Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship in 2017, 2018is favourable for them to enhance their special relationship.

Phankham Viphavanh asked for both sides’ coordinationto soon build a park named after Vietnam’s late President Ho Chi Minh in thenorth of Vientiane capital city so as to help educate young people on the greatfriendship of the countries.

At the talks, they agreed to step up mutualvisits at all levels with a focus on their effectiveness along withpeople-to-people exchange, especially among young people, to reinforce the twonations’ connectivity and create a solid foundation for future generations tofoster the traditional relations.

They agreed to bolster security-defencecooperation, including in fighting trans-national crimes and ensuring securityand development in the countries’ shared border areas. They also urged bettercoordination to manage the borderline, reduce irregular migration, and carryout the agreement on the settlement of irregular migrants and undocumentedmarriages signed by the two Governments in 2013.

The Lao Vice President thanked the VietnameseGovernment for creating conditions for the Lao-Vietnam International Port JointStock Company to build Vung Ang No. 1, 2 and 3 wharves, which are importantgateways for the economic development of the northeast of Laos. He alsoappreciated the Vietnamese sides’ promotion of trade and investmentpartnership, transport connectivity, investment cooperation projects, andremoval of business obstacles.

Valuing the Vietnamese Government’s scholarshipsfor Laos, he asked the two sides to improve collaboration in education-trainingto meet each country’s human resource demand while strengthening ties inculture, sports, communications, science and technology.

Phankham Viphavanh affirmed that the LaoGovernment always supports Vietnamese people to settle in the country underLaos’ law. The two sides should coordinate closely to manage and createfavourable conditions for Vietnamese to work in conformity with Laos’ law.

The two officials said their countries willcontinue working closely together and support each other at international andregional forums like the United Nations, ASEAN and the Mekong region’scooperation mechanisms.

On this occasion, Vice President Thinh thankedLaos and other ASEAN countries for pledging to support Vietnam’s candidacy fora non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in 2020-2021.

Also on June 19, the Vietnamese Vice Presidentpaid courtesy calls to General Secretary of the Lao People’s RevolutionaryParty and President Bounnhang Vorachith and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.

The Lao leaders emphasised that the Party andGovernment of Laos always attach importance to the enhancement of thecountries’ special ties, agreeing to solidify the comprehensive cooperationbetween the two Parties and Governments.-VNA