During the event, the two sides expressed delight at the strong and effective development in various fields in the bilateral special relationship over the past time. The results have partly come from the contribution of foreign ministries of the two countries. Notably, their close coordination has contributed to the successful state visit of State President (now General Secretary and State President) To Lam to Laos in July 2024 and the official visit to Vietnam by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in January 2024.
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Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet (right) and his Lao counterpart Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune |
Both sides agreed to continue effectively preparing for high-level visits and important bilateral cooperation mechanisms in the near future. They also pledged to work closely with relevant ministries, agencies and localities to advance the implementation of high-level agreements.
On this occasion, the two deputy ministers exchanged views on global and regional issues of shared concern. They agreed that given the complicated and uncertain global and regional developments, it is crucial to uphold the tradition of close cooperation and mutual support at global and regional forums, especially within the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, and strategic issues relating to regional peace and stability.
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A view of the political consultation |
The Vietnamese deputy minister emphasized that Vietnam will continue working closely with and fully support Laos in successfully fulfilling its role as ASEAN Chair in 2024, contributing to maintaining the association’s unity and central role.
On this occasion, the two sides agreed to continue carrying out the 2021-2025 cooperation agreement between the two ministries, maintaining regular and effective ministerial and deputy ministerial consultation mechanisms, enhancing the exchange of information and professional experience, and working closely with relevant units of both ministries focusing on policy research, foreign strategy, economic diplomacy, consular affairs, overseas Vietnamese, border issues, training, and capacity building.
The two sides agreed to hold the 10th deputy ministerial-level political consultation in Laos in 2025.
Earlier the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, and delegates at the reception |
During the meeting, Minister Son spoke highly of the deputy ministerial-level political consultation mechanism between the two ministries and urged both sides to increase information and experience sharing, work more closely at global and regional forums, and actively realize high-level agreements between the two countries' leaders and ministries for the 2021-25 period to help deepen and enhance the practical and effective development of the bilateral relations.
Translated by Chung Anh