On February 26, a high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party took place in Hanoi, co-chaired by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Lao President and General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith.

At the meeting, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith exchanged updates on the situation in each party and country, including party building, socio-economic development, and discussed global and regional issues of mutual interest.

The leaders also assessed the results of cooperation between the two parties and countries over the past period and agreed on major directions for the Vietnam-Laos partnership moving forward. Both leaders expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the increasingly deep, substantive, and effective development of the Vietnam-Laos relationship across various fields. This includes strengthened political ties, effective advancement of defense and security cooperation, and positive progress in economic, cultural, educational, and scientific-technical cooperation.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith at the meeting

The two leaders congratulated each other on the significant and comprehensive achievements made by their peoples in nation-building and development, as well as in implementing the resolutions of their respective parties. They expressed gratitude for the sincere and dedicated support provided to each other over the years.

Both sides emphasized the historical tradition of mutual assistance and solidarity, affirming that the Vietnam-Laos relationship is a priceless asset to both nations. They underscored that this relationship is an objective necessity, a historical rule, and the greatest source of strength for both parties and countries, which should be enhanced and passed on to future generations.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong reiterated that the Vietnam-Laos relationship remains of utmost importance and a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy. He highlighted key points aimed at strengthening the relationship between the two parties and countries in the coming period.

In agreement with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong views, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith affirmed the strategic importance and significance of the Vietnam-Laos relationship for the security and development of each country, as well as for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone expressed high appreciation for the results of cooperation in various fields including economy, trade, investment, culture, education, science and technology, as well as defense and security. They also proposed specific directions for further collaboration between the two countries in the near future.

Both sides agreed that, in the current context, the two parties and countries need to continue to build on their positive traditions, enhance solidarity, coordinate closely, and support each other. They emphasized the need to deepen political relations, which should serve as the core guiding framework for the overall relationship between the two parties and countries. They also called for strengthened cooperation in defense, security, and foreign affairs; making breakthroughs in economic collaboration; and promoting cooperation in education, culture, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges, based on leveraging each country’s potential and strengths.

Moreover, they stressed the importance of cooperation between party committees, government ministries and agencies, parliamentary bodies, mass organizations, and localities of both countries. The two sides affirmed the need to optimize existing mechanisms, continue to innovate, and enhance the effectiveness of cooperation in various fields, while also developing new mechanisms to further strengthen the special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, for the practical benefits of their peoples and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.