Vietnam, Laos hold 11th ministerial political consultation
A political consultation between the Vietnamese and Lao ministers of foreign affairs took place in Vientiane on December 16, reviewing the past cooperation between their ministries and discussing future joint work and international and regional matters of common interest.
Vientiane (VNA) – A political consultation between the Vietnamese and Lao ministers of foreign affairs took place in Vientiane on December 16, reviewing the past cooperation between their ministries and discussing future joint work and international and regional matters of common interest.
At the event, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane expressed their delight at the growth of the countries’ ties across many areas, particularly politics, defence-security, economy-trade-investment, culture, education, science-technology, human resources development, and people-to-people exchange.
They agreed to intensify collaboration in implementing the action plans for high-level agreements in the fourth quarter and next year, while well preparing for the upcoming 47th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos intergovernmental committee on bilateral cooperation, deepening the countries’ defence-security ties, and creating breakthroughs in their economic, trade, and investment cooperation.
Acknowledging the growing collaboration between their ministries, the ministers tasked relevant units to promptly draft the sides’ cooperation pact for 2026-2031 and an action programme on economic diplomacy for 2026-2030.
The Lao FM took the occasion to express gratitude to Vietnam for its strong support during Laos’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2024. He affirmed Laos’ commitment to working with and assisting Vietnam in hosting the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum, slated for early 2025.
Both sides also noted with pleasure their regular coordination and mutual support at multilateral organisations and forums, including the United Nations, regarding issues like the East Sea and Mekong cooperation
The consultation concluded with a consensus to hold its next edition in Vietnam.
❀ Following the event, Son presented Vietnam’s orders and medals to Lao foreign ministry individuals and collectives for their significant contributions during the 2022 Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year./.
The Party, State, and people of Vietnam strongly support Laos's renovation efforts, Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Chief of its Office told Lao leaders on December 11 during his two-day visit to the country.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong held a working session with Deputy Chief of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Office Khampha Phimmasone in Vientiane on December 10.
Vietnam always attaches importance and gives the highest priority to the Vietnam – Laos special solidarity, State President Luong Cuong told Bounthong Chitmany, Permanent member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee’s Secretariat and State Vice President of Laos.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
