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Laos, Vietnam vow to cement bilateral ties
Lao and Vietnamese leaders have vowed to work together to further cement the special relations between the two neighbours as Laos’ top leader pays an official goodwill visit to Vietnam.
Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao PDR Bounnhang Vorachit is leading a high-level delegation on a visit to Vietnam from December 19-21.
The visit is in response to an invitation from the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trọng and State President Tran Dại Quang, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.
During bilateral talks, Mr Bounnhang and Mr Trọng described the Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017 between Laos and Vietnam as an important milestone in the two countries’ bilateral ties.
The year 2017 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Vietnam, and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty between the two countries.
The leaders agreed to work together to more effectively realise agreements signed between the two countries’ parties and states.
They pledged to enhance political and foreign affairs relations along with intensifying cooperation in national defence and security. Both sides vowed to closely work together to increase efficient cooperation in economics, trade, culture, education, health, science and technology.
Laos and Vietnam will continue to work together in the regional and international arenas, promoting peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
The two leaders said they highly valued the longstanding friendly relations, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
They reviewed bilateral relations and cooperation between the two neighbours over past years.
The leaders said they were proud to note that the friendly relations, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, states and peoples had deepened and broadened in all areas amid the fast-changing complexity of the regional and global environment.
Leaders from both countries have maintained regular exchanges of visits and contacts, notably during the Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017.
Mr Bounnhang expressed his pleasure at leading the Lao Party and state delegation on the visit to Vietnam.
He thanked the Vietnamese Party and state leaders as well as the residents of Hanoi for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegates.
The Lao leader said he was delighted that the Vietnamese people under the leadership of the CPV had gained greater achievements in the national renovation task as well as the achievements gained in implementing the resolution of the 12th Congress of the CPV over the past two years.
The Lao Party Secretary General expressed his appreciation to the Party, government and people of Vietnam for the valuable and effective support and assistance extended to the Lao people in the past revolutionary task and current national safeguarding and development affairs.
Welcoming Mr Bounnhang and his delegates, the Vietnamese leader said he highly valued their visit, adding that it significantly enhanced bilateral relations.
General Secretary Trọng underlined the need for both sides to teach their two peoples, especially the younger generations, to value the special relations and encourage them to cherish this relationship.
After the talks, the leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on the construction of a new building to house the Lao National Assembly, for which the Vietnamese government has provided a grant to finance the project. Construction is set to start early next year.
During his visit, Mr Bounnhang also met with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairwoman of the National Assembly, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Laos.php