PM holds talks with counterparts from Vietnam, Timor-Leste

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on Tuesday held separate talks with his counterparts, Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam and Kay Rala Xanana of Timor-Leste, as Laos hosts leaders from across southeast Asia and key dialogue partners this week.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (right) welcomes Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The two PMs are visiting Laos, the Chair of ASEAN in 2024, to attend the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings taking place in Vientiane on October 8-11.
The talks focused on forging closer bilateral ties between Laos and the two countries and fostering multilateral cooperation within the framework of the 10-member regional bloc, with Timor-Leste seeking to become ASEAN’s 11th member state in 2025.
During talks with PM Pham Minh Chinh, both sides reviewed the time-honoured record of great relations, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
Laos and Vietnam, which had fought shoulder to shoulder for each of their national liberations, have categorised the level of their special relations as something that ‘can be found nowhere on earth’.  
Despite Laos and Vietnam already enjoying healthy ties, the two PMs sought ways to cement relations further.
“The Lao and Vietnamese Prime Ministers discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the future,” said the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release.
The two PMs agreed to push relevant ministries and localities to work together to realise the outcomes of President Thongloun Sisoulith’s state visit to Vietnam last September and other agreements.
A key focus will be on realising prioritised projects related to infrastructure development, finance, energy, tourism, trade, and investment.  
Hailing the healthy relations, the two PMs recalled that leaders from both sides have maintained regular contact, exchanges and visits.
Recently, Party Secretary General and President Thongloun Sisoulith and his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam met and held talks in Paris, France, during their attendance at the 19th Francophonie Summit.
PM Sonexay expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Party, government and people of Vietnam for extending support to Laos over the years, including support for Laos’s ASEAN chairmanship and relief aid for flood victims. 
PM Pham Minh Chinh thanked his host for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
At the talks with PM Kay Rala Xanana, the Lao leader pledged the country’s support for Timor-Leste’s application to become an ASEAN member state.
On bilateral ties, Laos is about to set up its embassy in Timor-Leste, while the latter established its embassy in Vientiane in June, 2024.
The two PMs underscored the sound ties between Laos and Timor-Leste that have been strengthened over the past two decades.
Looking ahead, the leaders agreed to forge closer ties built on the successful outcomes of the state visit to Laos by Timor-Leste President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta last February.
More focus is to be paid to realising memorandums of understanding in key economic, trade and technical areas.  
The two PMs highlighted agriculture, tourism, and energy as potential areas to be taped to foster cooperation, with both agreeing to encourage business-matching activities to foster partnership among entrepreneurs.
It was also noted that the two countries have extended mutual support to one another in regional and international arenas.
PM Xanana expressed heartfelt gratitude to his host for the warm hospitality and Laos’ support for his country’s application to become an ASEAN member state.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 9, 2024)