Hanoi (VNA) -  Head of theParty Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations HoangBinh Quan and  head of the External Affairs Commission of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Sounthone Sayachak held onlinetalks on August 28.

During the talks, Quan congratulated Laos on its recent achievements,expressing his belief that the country will continue to make greater achievementsand successfully organise the 11th Party Congress in early 2021.

He spoke highly of Laos’ outcomes in the fight against COVID-19, and insocio-economic development, and suggested the two sides continue closecooperation in responding to the pandemic.

Quan thanked Laos’ support for Vietnam as the country undertakes its role as ASEAN Chair 2020, the Chair of the 41stGeneral Assembly of ASEANInter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41), and a non-permanent member of the UNSecurity Council (UNSC) in the 2020-2021 tenure.

He asked Laos to continue supporting ASEAN's common stance, coordinatingwith other ASEAN countries to well implement the Joint Statement of the 36thASEAN Summit, and supporting Vietnam’s priorities and initiatives in the ASEAN Year2020.

For his part, Sounthone Sayachakhighlighted the significance of the talks, and thanked Vietnam for its supportto Laos in the fight against COVID-19.

The two officials expressed their joy at the growing relations between the twonations, and emphasised the importance of the Vietnam-Laos special solidarityto the stability and development of the two countries, including contributionsby the two commissions.

They informed each other of the situation of each Party and each country,including preparations for the congress of the two Parties. The two discussedinternational and regional issues of common concern, including the East Seaissue, and talked measures to improve the efficiency of cooperation between thetwo nations.

The officials affirmed that the two sides will closely coordinate to effectivelyimplement agreements reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and Statesand the two commissions as well.

The pledged to continue maintaining information sharingin a timely manner, coordinating closely and effectively, and supporting eachother in international and regional issues, especially within the framework of cooperationmechanisms of ASEAN, the World Trade Organisation, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and theMekong Sub-region, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperationand development in the region and the world./.