Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith, his spouse and a high-ranking delegation of the Lao Government on October 3 wrapped up their official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith pays tribute to late
President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum (Source: VNA) 

During the three-day trip, Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc; paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong; and met with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

He also paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi, and visited a number of economic and cultural establishments in the central city of Da Nang.

The leaders of the two nations shared information about socio-economic development and deployment of external affairs in their respective countries in the recent past. They also discussed directions and measures to consolidate and strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the coming time.

The two sides affirmed to continue standing side by side and supporting each other in the cause of national defence and development of each country, both in bilateral frameworks as well as in regional and international forums.

They agreed to maintain the exchange of delegations and meetings at all levels and through different channels in a streamlined, effective and practical manner, with a focus placed on sharing experience and seeking solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles; and to effectively implement high-level agreements signed by the two sides.

The two sides consented to encourage ministries, departments, sectors and localities to expand direct cooperation and support each other in socio-economic development; and promptly solve problems arising on the basis of friendship and solidarity.

They agreed to expand tourism partnership, especially among southern border provinces of Laos and central provinces of Vietnam.

The two sides agreed to share information in a timely manner and closely coordinate with each other and with related countries and international organisations to ensure the management and sustainable use of water resources of the Mekong River for the common interests of the people in the sub-regional nations. They agreed to continue with the effective coordination and mutual support at regional and international mechanisms.

The leaders of both Vietnam and Laos affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, respect for law, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and of settling disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On the occasion, the two PMs witnessed the signing of eight cooperation agreements in the fields of economy, investment, education, finance, banking, energy and aviation.