Vietnamese State President Tran Dai Quang joined talks with his Laotian counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith in Vientiane on Sunday morning, as part of a state visit to Laos scheduled for June 12 to 14, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

President Vorachith praised the visit of his guest as it was President Quang’s first trip to Laos since his appointment, a symbol of respect for the special relationship between the two nations from the Vietnamese Party, state, and government.

The two heads of state agreed to continue the execution of the agreements signed by leaders of the two countries and push forward the result of the 38th meeting of the inter-governmental committee on Vietnam-Lao cooperation.

Focus will be also directed to the implementation of cooperation plans between the two governments for 2016, the Vietnam-Lao cooperation treaty for 2016-20, and other consensus reached during the recent visit to Vietnam of President Vorachith.

The two heads of state were determined to effectively carry out the protocol on bilateral defense and security cooperation for the 2016-20 period, the agreement on the management of the Vietnam-Laos borderline, the treaty on border trade, and others.

They assessed that there have been complications regarding regional and international issues and stated the importance of mutual exchanges and support to ensure security and stability in each nation.

The Vietnam-Laos collaboration in regional and global forums, including the United Nations, ASEAN, and other organizations, should also be strengthened, according to the two leaders.

ASEAN is short for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which is a political and economic organization whose members include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The presidents reiterated the intention to coordinate closely to strengthen solidarity among ASEAN, elevating the bloc’s central role in the region's security structure. 

They considered the significance of preserving peace, stability, security, and freedom in the East Vietnam Sea, and agreed to work with other ASEAN member states to settle any dispute peacefully and as per international law, namely the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea (DOC).

A code of conduct in the maritime area is also hoped to be established soon to contribute to the maintenance of stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

The two parties reached a consensus on enhancing the cooperation in the management and sustainable use of water resources in the Mekong River.

On the occasion of the visit, President Quang presented the Lao province of Sekong a school worth US$1 million, which was intended to improve educational development in the area.

The Vietnamese head of state also met with Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and parliament chairman Pany Yathotou on the afternoon of the same day, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The Laotian premier agreed to help provide favorable conditions for Vietnamese and Lao businesses and boost cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economic affairs, trade and investment, education and training.

In addition, President Quang visited the Embassy of Vietnam in Laos, representatives of Vietnamese agencies, and the Vietnamese community in the country.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!