Laos, Mongolia agree to further enhance cooperation

VIENTIANE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of Laos and Mongolia signed seven cooperation agreements, aiming to build ties in economic affairs, trade, investment and tourism.

The signing of the documents, held in the Lao capital of Vientiane on Monday, was witnessed by Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and his Mongolian counterpart Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, the Vientiane Mai newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The Mongolian president and his delegation arrived in Vientiane on Sunday for a state visit, which aimed to enhance the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries.

The two presidents discussed ways to expand their cooperative relations, especially in regard to economic development, trade, investment, education, health, agriculture, culture and tourism.

The two presidents spoke highly of the growing friendly relations and cooperation between their countries over the past six decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1962.

The leaders agreed to deepen their collaboration, particularly by arranging reciprocal visits by high-level delegations from their countries and supporting one another in regional and international arenas.

Thongloun thanked Mongolia for supporting Laos in past years, particularly Mongolia's support for improvements to the Laos-Mongolia Hospital in northern Laos' Xieng Khuang province and the donation of 1,050 sheep in 2018.

In addition, Thongloun invited businesses in Mongolia to invest in areas of potential in Laos, especially in relation to developments in agriculture, logistics and transportation along the route of the China-Laos Railway.

During the visit, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone also asked the Mongolian president to strengthen trade and investment cooperation by assisting arrangements for the private sectors to meet and discuss possible partnerships.