Vietnam, Laos issue joint statement

 Photo for illustration. Source: vov.vn

They affirmed the importance of and reached a consensus on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, while effectively implementing signed agreements. The two sides aim to increase two-way trade value in 2017 by 10 percent against 2016 and step up connectivity between the two economies, particularly in transport and energy.

The two sides also agreed to bolster affiliation in education and training, which has been a bright spot in bilateral cooperation.

They affirmed to strengthen coordination at regional and international forums such as the United Nations (UN), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, as well as contributions to building the strong ASEAN Community, increasing solidarity and unity and promoting the central role of ASEAN in the regional architecture.

They agreed to work with international organizations to ensure sustainable and effective use and management of the Mekong River on the basis of ensuring the harmony in benefits of countries in the Mekong basin, especially those downstream. They noted the need to have mechanisms for bilateral coordination and coordination with other stakeholders to assess and monitor the impacts of the use of river water resources.

Both countries stressed the importance to maintaining peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea (South China Sea) and settling disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); implementing fully and effectively the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon reaching a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), looking towards finalizing a framework of the COC in mid-2017, thus contributing to preserving peace, security, stability, cooperation and development in the region and in the world.

Source: VNA