The articles reported that right after theofficial welcome ceremony in Hanoi on the morning ofJanuary 6, Lao PM Siphandone and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinhheld talks.
During the talks, the two sides spoke highly of the results of the bilateralcooperation in 2023. The two PMs expressed their joy as many cooperation projects have been completed on time, even aheadof schedule, and several existing issues between the two countries have been addressed.
The two sides acknowledged theconsolidation of bilateral political relations, saying that this serves as a solid foundationfor promoting cooperation in terms of defence and security, economics, trade,investment, industry, energy, education, culture, tourism, and healthcarebetween the two countries.
They have also exchanged views on orientationsand plans for future cooperation, agreeing to continue implementing agreementssigned by leaders of both countries, as well as relevant documents signed betweenthe two Parties, States, and ministries and sectors at all levels.
According to Lao media, PMChinh welcomed the first official visit to Vietnam by Prime MinisterSonexay Siphandone in his new capacity. The Vietnamese leader affirmed that Vietnam is ready tosupport Laos to successfully perform international responsibilities in 2024,including the ASEAN Chairmanship.
For his part, Siphandone thankedthe Party, State and people of Vietnam for their valuable support andassistance for Laos in its nationalconstruction and defence.
Lao newspapers said that the two PrimeMinisters witnessed the signing of four cooperation documents, including aprotocol on border guard cooperation between the defence ministries of Vietnamand Laos, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation plan between theGovernment Office of Vietnam and the Lao Prime Minister’s Office, an MoU ondevelopment and connectivity of border trade infrastructure between theGovernments of Vietnam and Laos, and a cooperation plan for 2024 between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and Laos’s Ministry of Education and Sports./.