Thailand
Laos firmly moves forward!
NDO – Today, the entire Party, army and people of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic are celebrating their 42nd National Day (December 2, 1975 – 2017). This is a historical event of great significance as it has opened a new page in the construction of a peaceful, independent, democratic, unified and prosperous country towards socialism, while contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
Located in Southeast Asia, Laos possesses a total land area of 236,800km2. The country is bordered by China to the north, Myanmar to the northwest, Thailand to the west, Cambodia to the south and Vietnam to the east. Laos has a population of more than 6.8 million including 49 ethnic groups, 85% of its population are Buddhist followers.
Having abundant natural resources and thousands of years of history, the Lao people stood up against foreign invaders to liberate the country and establish the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975 under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.
This is the highest achievement of the national democratic revolution of Laos, which had been carried out for decades under the sound leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. At the same time, it is also the victory of the solidarity and fighting alliance among the armed forces and the peoples of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia with the support of international friends, progressive and peace-loving people around the world.
Over the past 42 years of national construction and defence, under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the Lao people have gained many significant achievements in steadily maintaining political situation, security and defence, ensuring social order and safety, and developing socio-economic situation.
The country’s economy has seen healthy growth with the annual GDP growth rate of 7%, an average income per capita of nearly US$2,000 per year, and the poverty rate of 6.5%. The prestige and position of Laos in the region and on the international arena are being continuously lifted.
The achievements have motivated Lao people to further develop the people’s democratic regime, paving the way towards socialism.
Vietnam and Laos have maintained close neighbourhood, time-honoured friendship and traditional relations. Since the Indochinese Communist Party, the forerunner of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, came into existence and led the two countries, the bilateral relationship has expanded, developed and and proven increasingly beneficial.
Throughout historical ups and downs, the traditional bilateral friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and the Party and State leaders and peoples of the two countries, have been effectively and practically strengthened and deepened in all fields, becoming an invaluable asset for the two nations.
The asset has been treasured by the two peoples as a vital factor and and an important resource for the safeguarding of national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as for the building of socialism in each country, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.
In 2017, Vietnam and Laos are celebrating their 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation. Looking back at the past 55 glorious years, we are proud of the bilateral special solidarity and eternal closeness.
The two countries have affirmed their top priority to consolidating and developing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and Laos, meeting the aspiration and interests of the two peoples for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.
Vietnamese Party, State and people sincerely congratulate the Lao people on their significant and comprehensive achievements over the past 42 years under the clear-sighted leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. We firmly believe that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the people of Lao will continue to gain greater achievements in the process of national construction and defence.
Together with Lao Party, State and people, Vietnamese Party, State and people will do utmost to nurture, promote and pass on to future generations the bilateral special relationship.
May the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, State and peoples of Vietnam and Laos be evergreen and forever sustainable!
Source: http://en.nhandan.org.vn/politics/item/5686102-laos-firmly-moves-forward.html