Vientiane: State President Luong Cuong reiterated the Vietnamese Party and State's consistent policy of further consolidating and strengthening the great friendship and comprehensive cooperation with the Lao Party and country during his meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
According to Lao News Agency, President Cuong congratulated the Lao Party, State, and people on their political stability and positive economic growth. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) led by Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, and with the support of the National Assembly, Laos will successfully realize the Resolution of the 11th National Party Congress and achieve goals in its 9th five-year socio-economic development plan.
President Cuong extended condolences to the Lao Party, State, and people, as well as the PM and his family, on the recent passing of Khamtay Siphandone, former LPRP President, former President of Laos, and father of the current PM. During his highly successful talks with Party General Secretary and President of Laos Sisoulith a day earlier, Cuong affirmed Vietnam's readiness to share development experience with Laos, particularly in streamlining organizational structures to ensure an efficient apparatus at both central and local levels.
PM Siphandone warmly welcomed President Cuong on his first state visit to Laos in his new role, viewing the visit as a reflection of the special importance Vietnam attaches to the bilateral relationship. He lauded the achievements made by the Vietnamese Party, State, and people as a source of encouragement for Laos in its national development efforts.
Both leaders agreed to foster political trust through continued high-level visits, bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and implementation of high-level agreements, especially the outcomes of the September 2024 meeting between the two Politburos and the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee's 47th session. They highlighted the goal of achieving 5 billion USD in two-way trade in the coming years, with a targeted increase of 10-15% in 2025, and pledged to accelerate key projects like the Hanoi - Vientiane expressway and the Vientiane - Vung Ang railway.
The leaders also pledged to strengthen national defense and security cooperation, focusing on combating terrorism and cross-border crimes, and the repatriation of Vietnamese soldiers' remains. Education, training, science and technology, healthcare, and cultural exchanges were identified as areas for enhanced collaboration.
On global and regional issues, both sides committed to more information sharing and mutual consultation to present a unified stance on matters of shared concern. President Cuong also called on Laos to continue supporting the Vietnamese community in the country.