Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in Hanoi, October 1, 2019.

Speaking at a joint press conference following talks with Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in Hanoi on Tuesday, Prime Minister Phuc said Mr. Sisoulith’s visit opens a new chapter in the special, comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

“We reaffirmed the importance of the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity which is a treasure of the two nations. We are delighted at the strong development of bilateral ties and agreed to enhance cooperation across the board,” said PM Phuc.

He added that Vietnam and Laos signed 9 cooperative agreements on energy, finance, transport, education and other fields. The leaders agreed on the need to maintain peace, stability, security, and freedom of aviation and overflight in the East Sea, settle disputes by peaceful means with respect for international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, fully and strictly implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and soon finalize a legally binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Prime Minister Sisoulith said both sides agreed to work harder to increase two-way trade by 10%-15% annually and enhance mutual support at regional and global forums, particularly in 2020 when Vietnam becomes the ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith meets Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi, October 1, 2019.

The same day, the Lao PM met Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong who called on both countries to boost cooperation and information sharing in the wake of complicated and unpredictable developments in the region and the world.