Speaking over the phone with Lao counterpart, Pham conveyed greetings and congratulations of Party General Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, and other senior leaders to Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, and Chairman of the National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane and other leaders of Laos on the occasion of the Bun Pi May or Lao new year.

Pham expressed his belief that under the sound leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Laos will gain greater achievements in its national development cause in order to build an increasingly prosperous country with rising position and role on the international arena.

The two prime ministers noted with pleasure at the solid and stable advancement of the bilateral relations over the recent past, emphasizing that both sides should double efforts to further consolidate and enhance the great relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.Phankham spoke highly of Viet Nam's achievements in its process of reform and international integration, particularly the country's recent success in COVID-19 management and reopening of the economy.

They agreed both countries will coordinate and support each other in building independent economies, maintain regular high-level delegation exchanges and contacts, and work together to effectively implement high-level agreements and the outcomes of the 44th meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee held in Ha Noi last January.

Both sides will continue improving the effectiveness of cooperation in defense, security, trade, investment, transport connectivity, energy, education and training, health, culture and local-to-local collaboration.

The pair also agreed that both countries will continue close coordination and mutual support at international, regional and sub-regional forums in a bid to contribute to reinforcing peace, stability and cooperation within the ASEAN Community, in the region and the world as well.

Talking with Hun Sen over the phone, Pham conveyed greetings and congratulations of Party General Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, and other senior leaders to King  Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Senate President Say Chhum, President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin and other leaders of Cambodia on the occasion of the Choul Chnam Thmey or Cambodian new year.

Pham expressed his belief that under the sound leadership of Hun Sen, Cambodia will continue to thrive, successfully host major events in 2022, including commune elections and ASEAN Chairmanship.

Hun Sen congratulated on Viet Nam's outcomes in COVID-19 containment and economic recovery, expressing his belief that the Government and people of Viet Nam will continue reaping greater achievements in the cause of national development and international integration.

The two prime ministers were pleased with the positive developments of the Viet Nam-Cambodia relationship, with the two-way trade expanding around 80 percent on year to US$9 billion last year and Viet Nam becoming the biggest ASEAN investor in Cambodia.

Underscoring the strategic importance of sustaining and ceaselessly consolidating the bilateral ties for security and development in each country in the current context, the two prime ministers agreed to continue strengthening political trust as well as coordination in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, and work together to build the shared borderline of peace and friendship.

Pham took the occasion to reaffirm Viet Nam's support for Cambodia to successfully host the ASEAN Chairmanship this year./.