Hanoi (VNA) – The upcoming trip toVietnam by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone is expected to create newimpulse for the special cooperation between the two countries, especiallyeconomic collaboration, making it a firm pillar of the bilateral ties.

The Lao PM and his spouse will pay an official visitto Vietnam from January 6-7 at the invitation of Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh.During the visit, Sonexay Siphandone will also co-chair the 46th meeting of theVietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee.

This is not only the first official visit to Vietnamby Sonexay Siphandone in his capacity as the PM of Laos, but also the firstofficial visit to the Southeast Asian nation by a foreign high-ranking leader thisyear.

It takes place in the context that the bilateral cooperationis growing fruitfully, and agreements reached by Party leaders and Governments aswell as joint statements being implemented effectively in all areas,contributing to maintaining the growth pace of the relationship.  

The trip holds great importance as it reaffirms theclose ties between the two Parties, Governments and peoples, whiledemonstrating special characteristics of the relationship, and joint efforts inmaintaining it.

The year 2023 witnessed significant achievements inthe Vietnam-Laos collaboration across fields, contributing to ensuring stabledevelopment in each country, and consolidating and strengthening their greatfriendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.

The bilateral political cooperation was reinforced, maintaining its core role in the relationship. Cooperationagreements in national defence and security were put in place, helpingmaintain social stability and order in each country, and build a common borderlineof peace, stability, friendship, and comprehensive development.

The two sides coordinated in searching andrepatriating remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who laid down theirlives during the wartime in the neighbouring country.

Economic, investment, trade, cultural, andscientific-technological ties have been expanded and deepened over the pasttime. Notably, economic collaboration has served as important momentum for thebilateral relationship.

Laos always ranks first among the 79 countries andterritories where Vietnam has invested, and Vietnam remains a leading investorin Laos.

The two countries have worked together to handleobstacles to their economic and trade cooperation, and step up transportinfrastructure connectivity, as well as cooperation in energy, telecoms andtourism.

Such projects as the Hanoi-Vientiane Expressway and the Vung Ang-Vientianerailway have been accelerated by both sides.

Progress has also been made in collaboration ineducation and personnel training, as reflected through the number ofscholarships Vietnam has given to its neighbor, which reached 1,120 last year,raising the total to 14,050 so far.

Vietnamese and Lao border localities have cooperatedand supported each other, especially in infrastructure construction, healthcare, education-training, human resources development, and guaranteeingsecurity and order.

The two countries have maintained their close,effective coordination at multilateral forums, particularly the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEAN-led mechanisms, the United Nations (UN),the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms,helping raise their position in the international area.

As part of the trip, PM Sonexay Siphandone and hisVietnamese counterpart will co-chair the 46th meeting of the Inter-GovernmentalCommittee, one of the most important annual cooperation mechanisms between thetwo countries.

The meeting will review the implementation ofcommitments made at the previous edition, and set out cooperation plans andorientations for 2024 and beyond.

It is hoped to create breakthroughs in the bilateraleconomic cooperation, making its more intensive in the time ahead./.