Lao Deputy PM highlights role of diplomacy in growing relations with Vietnam
Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith has held in high regard the role and contribution of diplomacy to the Vietnam – Laos friendly relations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (July 18, 1977 – 2022) and the 45th year of their signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith
Phnom Penh (VNA) – Lao Deputy Prime Minister andForeign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith has held in high regard the role andcontribution of diplomacy to the Vietnam – Laos friendly relations on theoccasion of the 60th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomaticties (July 18, 1977 – 2022) and the 45th year of their signing ofthe Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
Laos and Vietnam have a special and great friendship, he told the Phnom Penh-based Vietnam News Agency correspondent, adding that the two countries have together achievedremarkable accomplishments in all areas, from politics, defence-security toeconomy over the six-decade history of the relationship.
Particularly highlighting the cooperation between the twoforeign ministries, Kommasith said the two sides have maintained close contactthrough regular political consultations and high-level exchanges.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (left) and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith sign an agreement between the two ministries. (Photo: VNA)
He noted that the ministries act as consulting bodies in externalaffairs for leaders of the two Parties, States and Governments; and also strategicplanners in diplomacy and international cooperation, coordinating efforts toimplement major agreements between the two countries.
The Lao official held that the foreign ministries’partnership has produced good results, bringing practical benefits for peopleof both sides. They have organised bilateral meetings on a regular basis to compare views on regional and global issues prior to advising Parties andState leaders, he added./.
Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongphosy talked to the Vietnam News Agency on Laos-Vietnam economic and investment cooperation and measures to further promote bilateral ties in these aspects to match the close political relationship.
A meeting was held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on September 4 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Vietnam – Laos diplomatic ties, the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam – Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and the Vietnam – Laos Year of Solidarity and Friendship 2022.
Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and Laos have shown its important role in and significant contributions to the development of the great friendship between the two countries, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung has stated.
No matter how the world situation changes, the Party and State of Vietnam, together with the Party and State of Laos, always strives and stays determined to cultivate their relationship, both in width and depth, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung has said.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith 
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (left) and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith sign an agreement between the two ministries. (Photo: VNA) 
