Mr Tran Luu Quang (right) welcomes Mr Saleumxay Kommasith in Vietnam.

Laos, Vietnam prepare for state leaders’ meeting, discuss connectivity

Lao and Vietnamese authorities have discussed preparations for the upcoming meeting between the two countries’ heads of state, with the President of Vietnam To Lam scheduled to make a state visit to Laos on July 11-12.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith and his delegation concluded their two-day working visit to Vietnam on July 4-5 when the two sides held talks on the agenda.
Mr Saleumxay, who is head of the committee in charge of facilitating trade and transportation between Laos and Vietnam, met with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang.
The two Deputy PMs discussed ways to fulfil cooperation projects agreed upon by the leaders of the two countries.
They also touched upon ways to address shortcomings regarding cooperation in the energy and mines sector, development of the Vung Ang seaport in Vietnam’s central Ha Tinh province, and road and rail connectivity.
Vietnam has agreed to increase Laos’ share in the Vung Ang port to 60 percent at Laos’ request, which will see the latter become the major shareholder as the landlocked country seeks to create a viable sea trade route.
Laos and Vietnam have also agreed to build a railway linking Vientiane to the Vung Ang seaport.
The two countries also plan to build an expressway linking their capitals, Hanoi and Vientiane, which is estimated to be 707 kilometres long.
In addition, Mr Saleumxay and Tran Luu Quang discussed ways to elevate cooperation in education, culture, and people-to-people links.
The Lao Deputy PM also called on Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh during his visit.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 9, 2024)