Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Mr Pham Binh Minh, his spouse, and a delegation paid an official working visit to the Lao PDR on Dec 24-26 to enhance the relations and cooperation between the two nations.

The delegation’s visit was in response to an invitation by the host, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, according to the Press Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

An official welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation was held at the ministry in Vientiane by Mr Saleumxay.

During the bilateral meeting, both sides reviewed the cooperation between the two countries of Laos and Vietnam as well as the two ministries over the past years.

They also discussed future directions for cooperation, especially in the fields of politics, economics, and border issues as well as shared points of view on regional and international issues of common interest.

In 2017, the two governments of Laos and Vietnam will organise activities to mark the two historical days of the 55^th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations and the 40^th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

After the bilateral meeting, President of Vietnam’s Diplomatic Academy Nguyen Vu Tung presented an Honorary PhD Degree on International Relations to Mr Saleumxay in the attendance of Mr Pham Binh Minh and relevant officials from both sides.

On the same day, Mr Pham Binh Minh and his delegation paid a courtesy call to President Bounnhang Vorachit, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, and President of the National Assembly Pany Yathortou where they praised the friendly relations, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people of the Lao PDR and Vietnam.