Consultation is an important cooperation mechanism for Vietnam and Laos to strengthen trust and productive coordination to foster relations, as well as intensifying cooperation in regional and international mechanisms.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh shared the view with his Lao counterpart Thoonglun Sisulith while co-chairing the second consultation at the foreign ministerial level in Hanoi on November 3.

The Lao official is in an official visit to Vietnam from November 2-5.

For his part, Sisulith emphasised the necessity for the two ministries to maintain trust in exchanging cooperation measures and sharing the stance on regional and international issues, thus contributing to consolidating and nurturing the Vietnam-Laos time-honoured friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and his Lao counterpart Thoonglun Sisulith chairing the event

Both pledged to encourage relevant ministries and offices to prepare for the 38th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental committee slated for the end of this year.

The two sides agreed to accelerate the implementation of recently-signed cooperation documents, including the Vietnam-Laos trade agreement, the Vietnam-Laos border trade agreement, and the two Governments’ memorandum of understanding on transportation cooperation strategy for 2016-2025 with a vision towards 2030.

They appreciated the official launching of the “one-stop-shop” model at the Lao Bao-Densavan international border gate pair in February, vowing to carry out measures to run the model efficiently.

They also agreed to work for the signing of a protocol on borderlines and national markers and an agreement on border and border gate management within this year.

The Vietnamese official asked the Lao Government to facilitate the naturalization and provide permanent residence cards for Vietnamese people and permanent visas for Vietnamese labourers in the country.

Both sides also exchanged opinions on several regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea issue, agreeing to maintain close coordination at multi-lateral forums, particularly within the ASEAN framework.

Vietnam will collaborate and fully support Laos in undertaking the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2016, Minh affirmed.

The Lao guest also took the occasion to present the second-class Isala Order to the Vietnamese Deputy PM and FM, and the third-class Isala Order to Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son and former Deputy FM Vu Dung for their contributions to the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, Deputy PM Minh handed over to Laos equipment serving its ASEAN Chairmanship work.

Source: VNA