Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (L) pays a courtesy visit to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), February 11, 2025 - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

The meeting took place on the occasion of the Vietnamese official's working visit to the UAE to attend the World Government Summit 2025 (WGS 2025).

Bui expressed his delight at the positive development of the bilateral ties across all fields, as demonstrated via the meeting between the two Politburos and the 47th meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, as well as high-level meetings between their leaders.

Economic, trade, and investment cooperation has witnessed significant progress, with the bilateral trade reaching US$2.25 billion in 2024, a 38.2 percent increase compared to the previous year, noted Bui.

The Lao Prime Minister conveyed the regards of Lao senior leaders to the Vietnamese counterparts, reaffirming that the Party, State, and people of Laos always prioritize and place the highest importance on strengthening and enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with Viet Nam.

He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam for their valuable cooperation and assistance during Laos' struggle for independence in the past, and the national development at present.

Siphandone suggested Viet Nam continue to share its experiences in macroeconomic stability and building an independent and self-reliant economy for Laos in the upcoming time.

Both sides vowed to continue directing ministries and sectors to implement reached agreements to foster stronger ties in all areas including politics, foreign affairs, national security and defense, investment, trade, and transport connectivity.

They emphasized the need to focus on creating new developments in economic, cultural, educational, health, and scientific cooperation, improving investment efficiency, and promoting the development of Laos' economic infrastructure.

The great relationship between Viet Nam and Laos is an invaluable asset of both countries and their peoples, which needs to be continuously nurtured and preserved for future generations, they stressed.