Leaders of Vietnam and Laos on Monday pledged to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation, striving to achieve bilateral trade turnover of $10 billion.

According to the Vietnam News Agency, the commitment was made during talks between To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, and Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP).

The LPRP Central Committee and the Lao president, during the latter’s state visit to Vietnam, congratulated Mr Thongloun on his re-election as general secretary of the LPRP Central Committee.

Mr Lam appreciated his selection of Vietnam as the first country to visit immediately after the successful conclusion of the new-term party congresses of the two parties.

Both sides agreed to prioritise key areas of cooperation, such as national defence and security, while enhancing connectivity between the two economies and strengthening transport links through major projects.

This included the Hanoi-Vientiane expressway and the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway.

Prior to the talks, Mr Lam chaired an official welcome ceremony for Thongloun at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, where the Lao leader was honoured with a 21-cannon salute.

It is the highest protocol for a head of state, the state-owned media reported.

(dpa/NAN)