Despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries Vietnam and Laos have maintained high-level contacts, exchanges and bilateral cooperation mechanisms in various forms.

The two sides highly appreciated the stable development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos over the past time. Despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have maintained high-level contacts, exchanges and bilateral cooperation mechanisms in various forms. In particular, in the past two months, the two sides have successfully coordinated to implement the official friendship visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith (Thoong-lun Sisoulith) (28-29). June) and the official friendship visit to Laos by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (August 9-10). The two sides expressed satisfaction that the defense and security cooperation between the two countries has deepened; economic, trade and investment cooperation has made new strides, two-way trade turnover in the first 7 months of 2021 reached USD 764.5 million, an increase of USD 34.8% million over the same period in 2020; Other areas of cooperation such as transportation, education and training, culture and society, people-to-people exchanges, etc. continue to be interested and promoted.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung at the meeting.

The two Deputy Ministers discussed and highly agreed on measures to strengthen the role of the two foreign ministries in promoting bilateral cooperation, especially the work of urging the implementation of high-level agreements and signed documents. strengthen the efficiency of delegation exchange at all levels and take advantage of international resources to serve the socio-economic development of each country. The two sides also took time to discuss the plan to organize the "Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Year of Solidarity and Friendship 2022" to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity. Conference and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, consider it an opportunity for the two sides to cooperate in promoting propaganda and education about the tradition of special relations between Vietnam and Laos among cadres, party members and people of all strata, especially young generation of the two countries.

Discussing international and regional issues of mutual concern, the two Deputy Ministers agreed to assess the complicated and unpredictable developments in the world and region; The two sides need to continue to closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums, especially within the framework of the United Nations, ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, especially on strategic issues. strategies related to peace, stability in the region and security - development of each country, including the East Sea issue; continue to closely cooperate in response to the COVID-19 epidemic, promote access to vaccines, and transfer technology in the production of vaccines and drugs to treat COVID-19 in an equitable and effective manner.

Regarding cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries, the two sides agreed to maintain and promote the effectiveness of ministerial and deputy ministerial level consultation mechanisms and regular exchanges between units of the two ministries, especially in the fields of: organization and training of staff for foreign affairs, strategic research, economic diplomacy, international law, consular affairs, border work... The two sides agreed to hold the next political consultation organized by the two sides. Vietnam will take the lead in 2022.