Meeting with Viphavanh, Chinh briefed his Lao counterpart on Vietnam’s socio-economic development, saying despite global difficulties and uncertainties, especially the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam has maintained its development momentum and recorded encouraging gains this year. He expressed his delight to see that the two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Laos reached US$1.22 billion in the first nine months of 2022, up 29% year on year.

Viphavanh congratulated Vietnam on its post-pandemic achievements and thanked the country for its close cooperation and effective assistance to Laos in COVID-19 control, economic development and human resource development.

The two PMs agreed that Vietnam and Laos have coordinated well this year in carrying out activities to celebrate 60 years of bilateral diplomacy, 45 years of the Vietnam – Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty and the Vietnam – Laos and Laos-Vietnam Friendship Year 2022.

They shared the view that the Vietnam – Laos relations have developed strongly in recent times, especially in the fields of politics - diplomacy, security - defense, trade and investment cooperation. They affirmed to give the highest priority to the preservation, cultivation and development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, so as to bring practical benefits to their peoples.

The same day, Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos who is in Phnom Penh for ASEAN summits and related meetings.

The two leaders expressed their satisfaction over the positive development of the Vietnam - Philippines Strategic Partnership in recent times.

Two-way trade between the two countries has grown strongly, reaching US$6.8 billion in 2021 and nearly US$5.4 billion in the first eight months of this year.

Chinh suggested that the two countries increase trade exchanges, including rice trading, and consider removing unnecessary barriers to create a favourable business and investment environment for the two business communities.

He requested that the two sides work together to best prepare for the upcoming visit to the Philippines by Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Marcos agreed with Chinh’s proposals, and emphasized that the two sides should strengthen cooperation in the fields of defense-security, including maritime cooperation, energy security, climate change, digital transformation, green growth, education - training, labour, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

With regard to the East Sea issue, the two sides affirmed to uphold the principle of settling disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). They also pledged to support each other in maintaining solidarity and centrality of ASEAN.

Cambodia, in its capacity of ASEAN Chair 2022, is hosting the 40th and 41st ASEAN summits and related meetings, including ASEAN + 1, ASEAN + 3, East Asia Summit and US-ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh from November 11 to 13.

At the meeting with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, the two leaders expressed their delight at the positive development momentum of the Vietnam - Brunei Comprehensive Partnership.

They agreed to soon resume the exchange of high-level and all-level delegations, and promote economic-trade cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges to create a momentum for further boosting intensive and extensive cooperation in the coming time.

PM Chinh suggested the two countries continue to promote trade in a more balanced way, and strengthen collaboration in areas such as digital transformation, green transformation, circular economy, and climate change response.

Discussing international and regional issues of mutual concern, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of strengthening ASEAN solidarity and unity, and agreed to maintain the bloc's central role in regional processes.

PM Chinh conveyed the invitations of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to the Sultan to visit Vietnam.

Sultan Bolkiah recalled his deep impression on Vietnam and its people in his visits to the country, and hoped to soon visit Vietnam again. He took this occasion to invite the Vietnamese PM to arrange a visit to Brunei in 2023.

Source: VOV/VNA