39th Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee meeting convenes

This is the first time the two PMs have co-chaired a meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on bilateral cooperation, expressing the resolve of the two countries’ high-ranking leaders to effectively implement the Cooperation plan in 2017.

At the meeting, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc laid stress on the special and unique Vietnam-Laos relationship, affirming that Vietnam will try its best in cooperation to help Laos develop, boost the closely-knit friendship of the two countries and effectively collaborate with Laos in global and regional forums. According to PM  Phuc, in 2017 the two sides should work together to best prepare for activities in celebration of the 55^th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 40^th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Agreement. The Vietnamese PM said that after the 39^th meeting, the Vietnamese Government will resolutely direct relevant ministries, sectors, localities and businesses to work more closely with Lao counterparts to quickly and effectively implement decisions of the meeting.

Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith believed that the meeting will generate a new momentum for the two countries to cooperate and develop more deeply and effectively, contributing significantly to strengthening and fostering the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation. The Lao PM stressed that 2017 is an important year as the two countries are preparing for the 55^th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 40^th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Agreement. Laos agreed to collaborate with Vietnam to organize celebration activities to help popularize the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity, especially to youths of the two countries.

At the meeting, the two sides highly appreciated and expressed joy over the results of the bilateral comprehensive cooperation. In 2016, Vietnam and Laos effectively carried out high-level agreed contents as well as those agreed between the two countries’ ministries, sectors and localities. Especially, cooperation in the political, foreign affairs, defense and security, economic, social, cultural, educational realms and people-to-people diplomatic activities were strengthened and developed extensively. At present, there are 14,000 Lao students studying in Vietnam. Vietnamese businesses have invested USD 3.7 billion in 400 projects in Laos. This meeting devised new mechanisms to coordinate and boost their cooperation and relations.

In 2017, the two sides will focus on well implementing directions of the two Politburos, enhancing the relations in the political, foreign affairs, defense and security, investment, and trade realms, expanding cooperation in human resource training, investment in traffic projects that connect the two countries, and more. The two sides also agreed to well organize the “Vietnam-Laos year of solidarity and friendship 2017”, celebrating the 55^th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 40^th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Agreement. On the basis of mutual trust, the two countries will support and cooperate with each other in organizing global and regional forums.

After the meeting, the two PMs  witnessed the signing of four cooperation documents. They are the Agreement on the Cooperation Plan between the Governments of Vietnam and Laos; the Minutes of the 39^th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation of the Governments of Vietnam and Laos; the Cooperation Plan for 2017 between the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos; and the Agreeement Minutes on the establishment of a joint-venture company to invest in the Vietnam-Laos 500KV electricity transmission line project.

The two PMs then co-chaired a press meeting to announce the results of the 39^th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee and joined the ceremony to present honorable titles of the two countries to individuals and collectives of the Office of the committee for their contribution during the 2012-2015 period.

Translated by Huu Duong