On January 26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, who was leading a high-level delegation of the Lao Party and State on a state visit to Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly welcomed General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith to Vietnam, stressing the special significance of the visit, which comes shortly after both countries successfully held their respective Party congresses for new terms and as they move toward elections of the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the strong determination of the leaders of both countries to preserve and further develop the special Vietnam - Laos relationship.

For his part, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith congratulated Vietnam on its major development achievements over the past 80 years, particularly during the tenure of the 13th National Party Congress. He highly appreciated the resolute and effective leadership of the Vietnamese Government, headed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, in maintaining macroeconomic stability, promoting growth, improving people’s livelihoods, and enhancing Vietnam’s international standing and prestige.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction that bilateral relations have continued to be consolidated, deepened, and delivered substantive results, despite the complex developments in the regional and global situation. They agreed that the serious and effective implementation of high-level agreements by ministries, sectors, and localities of both countries has made an important contribution to socio-economic development and brought tangible benefits to the peoples of Vietnam and Laos.

Discussing bilateral cooperation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the need to further strengthen economic cooperation so that it becomes a pillar commensurate with the exceptionally high level of political trust between the two countries. He underscored the importance of closer connectivity of strategic infrastructure, particularly in transport, energy, and logistics.

The Prime Minister proposed that the two sides coordinate closely to resolve difficulties and create favorable conditions for large-scale investment projects; maintain regular business dialogues; and encourage Vietnamese enterprises to invest in sectors where Laos has strengths, especially in border areas. He also highlighted the need to invest in processing and manufacturing facilities to increase value added and better meet domestic demand in Laos.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will continue to encourage and facilitate effective and sustainable investment by Vietnamese businesses in Laos. He called on both sides to intensify coordination in removing obstacles and improving the business environment for bilateral trade, particularly border trade, with the aim of raising two-way trade turnover to between USD 5 billion and USD 10 billion in the coming period.

He also stressed the significance of strengthening transport connectivity among Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to promote closer economic, trade, and investment linkages among the three economies.

The two sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in national defense and security, maintain political stability and social order, ensure border security, and strengthen coordination in combating transnational crime.

Both leaders reaffirmed their determination to continue nurturing, preserving, and promoting the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic linkage between Vietnam and Laos, for the practical benefit of the peoples of both countries.