Hanoi (VNA) ꦐ–State President Vo Van Thuong will pay an official visit to Laos from April10-11 at the invitation of General Secretary ofthe Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos ThonglounSisoulith.

Thismarks the President’s first overseas trip, and Laos is the first country hewill visit in his new position. The visit takes place in the context of thecontinued development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensivecooperation between the two countries. Over the past years, cooperationand political ties between Vietnam and Laos have seen fine developments. It isnoteworthy that the two sides have joined hands to successfully hold theVietnam – Laos and Laos – Vietnam Year of Solidarity and Friendship, with afocus being the ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of thebilateral diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing ofthe friendship and cooperation treaty between the two countries. Cooperation on nationaldefence and security have continued to be consolidated, and that on economy,trade and investment maintained. Last year, the two sides launched andcompleted a number of projects using Vietnam’s assistance to Laos. Also in 2022, Vietnam’s investmentin Laos saw five new projects and four others adding a total of 70 million USDin their capitals, while two-way trade value reached nearly 1.7 billion USD, anincrease of more than 25%. Meanwhile, cooperation on education and culturecontinued to enjoy attention, evidenced by Vietnam’s provision of 1,155scholarships to Laos and the figure of about 14,000 Lao students studying inVietnam. Besides, cooperationbetween the two countries’ localities, especially those sharing the borderline,also continued to be strengthened. The two sides have been closelycoordinating and providing mutual support to each other at regional andinternational cooperation forums, especially within the framework of ASEAN, theUN and sub-regional mechanism. Vietnamese Ambassador toLaos Nguyen Ba Hung said President Thuong’s visit to Laos shortly after hiselection by the National Assembly once more demonstrates special attention andsentiments from leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State to Laos, as well astheir firm determination and commitment to nurturing the relations between thetwo countries. Within the framework ofthe visit, President Thuong and his entourage are scheduled to take a series ofimportant activities such as talks with the top Lao leader, meetings with LaoPrime Minister and Chairman of the Lao National Assembly. In the context of thefine development of the Vietnam – Laos relations, the visit is believed tocreate a new push for the bilateral cooperation and relations through all thechannels and in all fields, helping realise the high-level agreements betweenthe two Parties and countries and unceasingly consolidate and develop the relationsof great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation betweenVietnam and Laos./.