PM Chinh meets with Lao and Cambodian counterparts in Kunming

The meetings transpired on the sidelines of the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit, the 10th Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit, and the 11th Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Vietnam (CLMV) Cooperation Summit.

At the meeting with Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone, the two PMs pledged closer cooperation across multiple fields between the two nations.
Regarding the important outcomes of his meeting with Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith on the fringe of the expanded BRICS Summit in Russia on October 23, PM Chinh said frequent meetings between Vietnamese and Lao leaders indicate the unique close-knit bonds between the two countries.

He also conveyed regards from Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to Lao leaders.

On behalf of the Lao Party and people, PM Sonexay thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, and people for their wholehearted support and assistance to Laos to fulfil the chairmanship of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2024, describing this success as the one of not only Laos but also both nations.

Laos is working to develop an independent and resilient economy, and it will boost closer cooperation with Vietnam in this process, he emphasized.

The two PMs reviewed bilateral cooperation in the recent past, highlighting the close coordination between the two governments as well as efforts by the two countries’ ministries, sectors, and localities to implement the outcomes of the high-level discussions and agreements, especially the state visit to Laos by then State President To Lam in July and the session between the two Politburos in September this year.

They consented to implement high-level agreements in a more active and effective manner while making the best preparations for the coming 47th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee.

They concurred to further strengthen the cooperation pillar of defence - security to guarantee solid sources of support for each other, and to continue maintaining security and build a Vietnam - Laos borderline of peace, friendship, stability, and sustainable development.

The PMs also agreed to make more breakthroughs in economic and trade partnerships.

PM Sonexay affirmed that his country always prioritizes Vietnamese enterprises, especially those operating in such strategic fields as infrastructure, energy, high technology, and transport. He expressed his hope for enhanced connectivity between the two economies and cooperation to improve the legal systems for facilitate trade and investment activities.

Hailing both sides’ efforts to accelerate some key projects, PM Chinh asked them to sustain this positive trend and stay determined to thoroughly deal with obstacles for other important projects in accordance with the two Politburos’ directions. He also pledged to bolster related Vietnamese agencies’ coordination with the Lao side.

Vietnam will continue assisting Laos to improve the quality of human resources, especially strategic-level officials and all-level managers, to help the latter meet development demands in the new period, he went on.

The two PMs agreed to realize cultural collaboration more effectively and step up communications about the traditional Vietnam - Laos relations among the public, especially young people. They also consented to intensify exchanging opinions and information in a timely manner, coordinate closely, and support each other in international and regional issues of shared concern.

Sonexay invited PM Chinh to pay an official visit to Laos and co-chair the 47th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee in early 2025. PM Chinh accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Meeting with Cambodian PM Hun Manet, PM Chinh extended congratulations to his counterpart, leaders, and people of Cambodia on the country’s 71st National Day (November 9, 1953 - 2024) along with recent socio-economic development achievements. He showed his confidence that Cambodia will reap even more tremendous and comprehensive achievements in the time ahead.

He stressed that the traditional solidarity, cohesion, and mutual assistance between Vietnam and Cambodia are a precious asset and an important factor in each country’s struggle for national liberation in the past as well as national development at present.

The Vietnamese Government chief also conveyed regards from Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the Party and State leaders of Cambodia.

In response, PM Hun Manet congratulated Vietnam on its breakthrough achievements, particularly in socio-economic affairs, saying he believes that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, led by General Secretary To Lam, it will obtain greater attainments in national construction and development.

The two PMs noted with satisfaction the progress in the sound neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between their countries, applauding the maintenance of frequent mutual visits and meetings at all levels.

They agreed to augment defence - security cooperation, closely work together to fight and thwart hostile forces’ plots to sabotage or drive a wedge into both nations’ relations, encourage and offer favourable conditions for investment and business activities of the countries’ enterprises, and strive to elevate bilateral trade to US$20 billion in the near future.

They also pledged to enhance transport connectivity, especially in border areas, to facilitate cross-border trade and people-to-people connections between border provinces of Vietnam and Cambodia.

PM Chinh asked both sides to speed up border demarcation and marker planting in remaining areas.

In addition, the two sides consented to increase exchanges and meetings between young leaders and young people of the countries to deepen mutual understanding and trust. They will also pay special attention to and ramp up cooperation in education and communications to improve younger generations’ awareness of the traditional solidarity and mutual assistance between the two nations.

The PMs accentuated the historical significance and value of the Vietnam - Cambodia - Laos relations, noting that cooperation mechanisms among the three countries will be maintained for the sake of the countries’ people as well as peace, stability, and development in the region and around the world.

On the occasion, PM Chinh graciously accepte his Cambodian counterpart’s invitation to make an official visit to the neighbouring country in the coming time.