The Lao government leader spoke highly of President Sang’s visit, saying that it will contribute importantly to consolidating and strengthening the time-honoured friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples.

He said he is delighted at the achievements Viet Nam has gained during its national development with increasingly important role and position in the region and the world.

These achievements are a source of encouragement for the people of Laos during the national construction and development towards socialism, he added.

He thanked Viet Nam for its valuable support for Laos, affirming that he will do his utmost to deepen the two countries’ all-round partnership.

President Sang, in turn, confirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always attach importance to and prioritise maintaining and developing the Viet Nam-Laos relationship.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed measures to realise signed agreements and those reached during the 37 th meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee, agreeing to soon issue policies to facilitate trade and investment cooperation and to speed up the implementation of the one-stop-shop mechanism.

They also agreed on closer coordination in ensuring defence and security, combating crimes, particularly those involving drug smuggling, trade fraud, and preventing illegal migration.

The two sides vowed to instruct relevant ministries and sectors to early complete a project on increasing and upgrading national border markers within 2015 in order to ensure the border line of friendship between the two countries.

They also exchanged views on several regional and international issues, pledging to collaborate closely at multilateral forums, work together and with other ASEAN members to complete the formation of the ASEAN Community by the end of this year, and intensify the study on the sustainable and efficient use of the Mekong River water resource.

The Vietnamese State leader asked the Lao side to continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community here.

Viet Nam is willing to support Laos in its position as the Chair of ASEAN in 2016, he affirmed.