During talks at the government headquarters today, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung highlighted this as Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone's first official foreign visit in his new term. This visit vividly demonstrates and deepens the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic alignment between Vietnam and Laos, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both sides agreed to continue effectively maintaining high-level visits and contacts at all levels. They also committed to thoroughly implementing high-level agreements and the outcomes of the 48th Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee meeting.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone held talks on 7/6. Photo: Giang Huy

Both sides agreed to continue effectively implementing defense and security cooperation protocols and plans. They will enhance coordination in combating transnational crime, drug crime, and illegal natural resource exploitation. Furthermore, they committed to supporting each other in maintaining political stability, social order, and safety in each country and along their shared border.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung thanked Laos for its close coordination and support for teams searching, exhuming, and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives during the war in Laos. He expressed hope that the Lao government would continue to support Vietnam's 500-day campaign to intensify the search, collection, and identification of martyrs' remains.

Regarding economic cooperation, both sides focused on discussing measures to boost connectivity between their two economies. The aim is to shift from friendship-based cooperation to more effective, mutually beneficial development, with economic efficiency and strategic attachment as central priorities.

This includes prioritizing the promotion of hard and soft infrastructure connectivity, especially key strategic transport projects such as the Hanoi - Vientiane expressway and the Vung Ang - Vientiane railway. This support aims to help Laos realize its goal of becoming a regional logistics hub and enhance its access to the sea.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung during talks with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on 7/6. Photo: Giang Huy

Both sides agreed to coordinate in effectively implementing signed economic cooperation agreements. They will also research mechanisms and policies that align with the unique nature of the Vietnam - Laos relationship, fostering a favorable and transparent investment and business environment for enterprises from both nations. Synchronized solutions will be implemented to boost bilateral trade to 10 billion USD by 2030.

The two Prime Ministers agreed to continue enhancing and innovating cooperation in education-training, science-technology, and high-quality human resource development, including training leaders and managers at all levels. They committed to the early establishment of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship University in Laos, promoting cultural, sports, and tourism exchanges, and expanding cooperation in clean agriculture, e-commerce, digital transformation, and innovation.

The two leaders discussed regional and international situations, agreeing to continue close coordination and mutual support in multilateral forums, especially ASEAN, the United Nations, and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms. They committed to maintaining a common ASEAN stance on strategic issues concerning regional peace, stability, and development, including the South China Sea and Mekong River water resources.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents after their talks on 7/6. Photo: Giang Huy

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in responding to global challenges such as climate change, cybersecurity, energy security, water security, combating cross-border crime, and other non-traditional security challenges.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone affirmed that the Lao Party and Government would continue to ensure favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community residing stably in Laos and for Vietnamese businesses investing and operating there. This support will facilitate project implementation, contribute to Laos' socio-economic development, and nurture the special Vietnam - Laos relationship.

Following the talks, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the exchange of four cooperation documents in the fields of transport, education, finance, and ethnic and religious affairs.

Pham Giang