Lao Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune. (Photo: VNA)

The statement was made by Lao Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, his wife and a high-ranking delegation of the Lao Party and State will pay an official visit to Vietnam on Monday and Tuesday, at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and their spouses.

This is the first overseas trip by Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith in his capacity as Lao Party General Secretary and President for the 2021-2026 tenure.

He will meet with Vietnamese leaders and hold a dialogue at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA).

Deputy PM Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, who is also head of the National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, highlighted the mutual support of Vietnam and Laos in the fight against the pandemic.

Since COVID-19 broke out, Vietnamese and Lao leaders have exchanged information and shown the closest and most timely cooperation in this regard, he added.

The Deputy PM said Vietnam was the first country to launch a special flight carrying medical supplies and experts to Laos when the second wave of the pandemic hit the country, stressing that Vietnam’s support is in the spirit of fraternity.