Vietnam, Laos to bolster economic, political cooperation

By Phan Anh April 5, 2023 | 09:38 am PT

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a meeting of leaders of member countries of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) on the occasion of the 4th MRC Summit in Vientiane, Laos, April 5, 2023. Photo by Nhat Bac

During the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and with his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on Wednesday, the two sides have agreed to step up both economic and political cooperation.

The two leaders also agreed to deploy the Vietnam-Laos Strategic Cooperation Agreement for the 2021-2030 period and the 2021-2030 Vietnam-Laos Bilateral Cooperation Agreement.

They agreed to coordinate to maintain security, order and social safety while also bolstering defense and security cooperation, strengthening economic ties, and promoting key projects like the Nong Khang Airport in Laos' Houaphanh Province.

Chinh said Vietnam would continue to support Laos in the coming time, including in its role as ASEAN/AIPA chair in 2024.

Bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and Laos reached $1.7 billion in 2022, a 24% increase from the previous year.