The great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos have continued to develop, achieved many important results and continued to be proven to be a unique special relationship in the world. Since the beginning of the year, Vietnam and Laos have focused on close coordination, effectively implementing high-level agreements, joint statements, agreements and bilateral cooperation plans between Vietnam and Laos, achieving many positive results, in line with the actual situation. The strong political relationship is the guiding principle for all cooperation activities between Vietnam and Laos. In recent times, high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and countries have regularly met and exchanged in many forms, both directly and indirectly, deepening the trust and attachment between the leaders and people of the two countries, which has been highly appreciated by public opinion and international friends.

The pillars of defense - security and border work continue to be closely cooperated by both sides in all fields, a bright spot in the bilateral relationship, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for the construction and development of the two countries as well as in the region and the world.

Economic, trade, investment, cultural, scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries has been constantly expanded and deepened. Notably, bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and Laos in recent years has increased by over 10% compared to the previous year; Vietnam is one of the largest investors in Laos with 417 licensed projects, total investment capital of about 4.3 billion USD, focusing on important areas such as finance-banking, electricity, telecommunications, agriculture, forestry, mining, etc. Many projects are being implemented well, contributing positively to the socio-economic development of Laos and improving the lives of local people. Currently, the two sides are also actively promoting many infrastructure projects connecting the two economies in terms of transportation (the Hanoi - Vientiane expressway construction project; the Thakhek - Vung Ang railway, Vung Ang 1, 2, 3 ports...), strengthening energy cooperation (electricity, clean energy projects...). Cooperation in education and human resource training is also of interest and focus. Each year, Vietnam grants Laos 1,120 short-term and long-term scholarships. Currently, there are more than 10,000 Lao officials and students studying and researching in Vietnam and hundreds of Vietnamese students studying at Lao universities. In the first 6 months of 2024, the two sides will focus on implementing the Master Plan to implement the tasks of the Project "Improving the quality and effectiveness of cooperation in the field of education and human resource development for the period 2021-2030", focusing on continuing to expand and improve the quality of cooperation in education and human resource development. In addition, the cooperative relationship between ministries, branches, mass organizations and people of the two countries has been increasingly expanded, closely linked and brought about practical results. The relationship between localities of the two countries has had a very encouraging new development, not only between provinces sharing the border or between twin provinces of the two countries but also expanded between Lao provinces and provinces and cities of Vietnam. The two sides also regularly exchange and closely coordinate at regional and international forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN, Mekong sub-regional cooperation, etc. In the context of the current volatile, complex and unpredictable regional and world situation, the special Vietnam-Laos relationship is also facing many difficulties and challenges from the international and regional environment, especially from the increasingly fierce competition between major countries in terms of strategy, politics - economics, science - technology with many unpredictable consequences... However, with the determination and highest efforts of both Parties, two Governments and peoples of the two countries, the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos will forever be preserved, nurtured and continuously blossom and bear fruit for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

VOV.VN

Source: https://vov.vn/chinh-tri/quan-he-viet-nam-lao-khong-ngung-phat-trien-dat-duoc-nhieu-ket-qua-quan-trong-post1106862.vov