Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong affirmed at a reception for Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on Saturday that Vietnam always gives the highest priority in bilateral relations with Laos.

Vietnam will stay alongside Laos and support the latter in the fulfillment of its international duties in 2024, the Vietnamese leader underlined.

Lao Prime Minister Siphandone, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation from Laos arrived in Hanoi on Saturday morning, commencing their official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This marks Siphandone's first Vietnam visit since assuming power in late December 2022.

At the reception, State President Thuong expressed his hope that the Lao leader’s visit would create a new stimulus for the two nations’ friendship and strengthen their solidarity.

The top Vietnamese official underscored that the Vietnamese state and Party believe that Laos will keep making great strides in its socio-economic development and spurring the nation’s role and position in the region and the international arena.

The Lao premier asserted that the Lao Party, state, and people are always grateful to Vietnam for its support over the past many years.

He also appreciated Vietnamese firms’ investments in Laos that have contributed to the nation’s socio-economic growth.

The two leaders reached a consensus on maintaining all-level delegation exchanges, and fostering cooperation in the defense, security, and diplomatic realms.

In addition, the two countries will focus on their multifaceted partnership to boost economic, trading, educational, and tourism development.

State President Thuong emphasized that the two nations should promote their political ties and work closely to implement cooperative deals to produce benefits for the two peoples.

During his two-day stay in Vietnam, the Lao PM is scheduled to co-chair the 46th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee.

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