Vietnamese and Lao leaders on March 23 reaffirmed their commitment to fostering the special solidarity and traditional friendship between the two countries during a three-day official visit of Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang to Laos.

Lao Party general Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone receives Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang in Vientine__Photo: Nguyen Khang/VNA

In talks held in Vientiane, President Sang and Lao Party General Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone said this was crucial to the victory of their revolutionary causes.

They agreed to facilitate exchange visits at all levels and effectively realize agreements reached at the 37^th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee.

Both sides committed to timely adopt policies to boost bilateral trade and investment relations, and reached agreement on completing a project to increase and upgrade border markers before the end of this year.

They also discussed several regional and global issues of mutual concern, including the maintenance of peace and stability in the East Sea and sustainable use of water resources of the Mekong River.

They expressed their pleasure at the constructive support given to each other at the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the Asia-Europe Meeting, and other international and regional forums.

They pledged to coordinate efforts with other ASEAN nations to realize a common community for the bloc by late 2015.-