Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumsay Kommasith have agreed that the Vietnam-Laos relationship has been growing steadily in recent times despite numerous difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh paid an official visit to Laos from November 29-30, and co-chaired the seventh annual political consultation at the foreign ministerial level in Vientiane.

The visit is made at the invitation of Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith under the Cooperation Agreement between the two foreign ministries.

During the meeting, the two sides shared the view that political cooperation has been further promoted, as demonstrated by regular visits, phone talks and high-level meetings.

Notably, greater attention has been paid to bilateral cooperation mechanisms across multiple fields such as national defence-security, external affairs, economy, culture, education and science-technology.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh
at the seventh annual political consultation

The pair concurred to instruct the two foreign ministries to augment closer coordination in better serving high-level visits and meetings and preparing for the 43rd meeting of the inter-governmental committee, while working hand in hand with other relevant ministries and agencies to carry out cooperation agreements, programmes and projects.

Collaboration between the two foreign ministries has been strengthened in a practical and effective manner via annual cooperation mechanisms at ministerial and deputy ministerial levels, and other mechanisms and forms, covering an array of fields, they stated.

Indeed, both sides successfully held an online political consultation at the foreign ministerial level in October, and signed an action programme on cooperation in economic diplomacy for 2020-2025.

Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith speaks at the event

Deputy PM and FM Minh used the occasion to thank the Lao side for supporting Vietnam to run for seats at UN agencies and organisations over the past time, and the nation’s successful performance of its role as ASEAN Chair 2020.

Vietnam will coordinate and support Laos to successfully organise the ninth Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit, the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV) Summit, and the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area Summit, Minh told the Lao diplomat.

The ministers also compared notes on regional and international matters of shared concern, the East Sea issue and the sustainable use of Mekong River water sources.

They consented to continue to step up closer coordination at regional and international forums, share information and viewpoints, and coordinate in seeking international resources for joint projects and programmes.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumsay Kommasith sign a cooperation agreement between the two foreign ministries

Following the political consultation, the two diplomats signed a cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese and Lao foreign ministries for the 2021-2025 period.