Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune (left) and Do Hung Viet shake hands during their meeting in Hanoi. - Photo: Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE: The Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Laos and Vietnam met in Hanoi last week to discuss their ongoing political activities.
Laos’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, and his officials travelled to Vietnam for the 9th meeting of deputy ministers on August 29.
The meeting was co-organised by Phoxay and his Vietnamese counterpart Do Hung Viet, and attended by the Lao Ambassador to Vietnam and other officials from the two sides.
The two delegations reviewed their cooperation over the past year and expressed appreciation of the great relationship, special solidarity and all-round cooperation between the parties, governments and people of Laos and Vietnam, hoping that ties will grow even stronger in the future.
The deputy ministers expressed satisfaction with the performances of their ministries at the central and local locals, especially in fulfilling agreements made between the two ministries.
They voiced a desire for stronger and more effective ties in the fields of politics, foreign affairs, defence and public security, economic affairs and trade, technology, culture and society, education, tourism and other sectors.
Vietnam is currently investing in 417 projects in Laos worth US$5 billion, and ranks third among the 53 countries with ongoing investments in Laos.
The two deputy ministers agreed to step up coordination with other government bodies to bring cooperation projects to fruition in order to spur economic progress.
The meeting discussed the ministries’ plan of work until the end of 2024 and agreed to organise more reciprocal visits between high level government leaders.
The delegations shared opinions on regional and global issues of mutual interest, and the ministries’ cooperation in sub-region, regional and international affairs.
Phoxay informed the Vietnamese side about Laos’ successful chairmanship of Asean over the past eight months and the country’s hopes for successful outcomes at upcoming meetings.
The deputy ministers highlighted the importance of inter-ministerial meetings in bolstering relations in foreign affairs matters under the guidance of their respective Parties and governments.
Officials from the two ministries’ border committees, economic institutes, and Women’s Unions will continue to meet for talks on a regular basis.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation between Laos and Vietnam and enhance the roles played by the two ministries through improved mechanisms.
The Lao and Vietnamese foreign affairs ministries have a close programme of collaboration from 2021 to 2025 during which they update each other on current developments and progress made. - Vientiane Times/ANN
