Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The statement was made at the talks held by PM Nguyen Tan Dung and his Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong on September 14 during the former's working visit to Laos.

PM Thongsing Thammavong asserted that the Lao Government and people value Viet Nam's assistance for its national liberation and development.

Regarding the Vietnamese-invested Potassium Chloride Salt Project in Khammounan province, the Lao PM referred to realistic benefits of the project of  helping enhance cooperation in economics, trade, investment, labor and technology transfer.

The two leaders hailed the developments in the traditional and comprehensive relations, agreeing to exchange high-ranking delegations at all levels.

Viet Nam is among top investors in Laos over recent years. The two-way trade turnover has increased over years towards US$2 billion this year. The new Trade Agreement and the Viet Nam - Laos Border Trade Agreement have been inked in early 2015.

They were unanimous in stepping up cooperation in culture, education and training, science and technology, transport and agriculture.

They consented to jointly organize significant activities in 2015, including the 40th anniversary of the National Day of Laos, the 38th session of the Viet Nam-Laos intergovernmental committeeand the annual political consultative meeting at the end of the year.

They also agreed to facilitate Vietnamese businesses' implementation of projects in Laos effectively as well as encourage Lao enterprises to launch more projects in Viet Nam.

The host and the guest exchanged issues of international and regional concerns, assenting to uphold the two nations’ relations at international and regional forums, especially within the ASEAN cooperation to raise the voice of ASEAN in the regional strategic issues and the East Sea issue.

Viet Nam will do its utmost to assist Laos to fulfill its role as Chair of ASEAN in 2016, said PM Dung.

After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two Governments on a cooperative strategy in transport in the 2016-2025 phase, with a vision to 2030.

By Thuy Dung