Reinforcing Vietnam-Laos special relations, close bonds, trust and comprehensive cooperation

NDO—Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong began his official friendly visit to Laos on November 24 at the invitation of Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith. This is the first official friendly visit by the Party chief to a foreign country since the conclusion of the 12th National Party Congress in late January.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (right) receives Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith on his visit to Vietnam last April.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (right) receives Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith on his visit to Vietnam last April.

Taking place at a special moment for Vietnam and Laos as both Parties and countries have recently held successful Party Congresses, General Secretary Trong’s visit to Laos is an important political event, affirming the two Parties and nations’ consistent foreign policy of respecting each other and exerting every effort to unceasingly foster the close bonds and trust between the two Parties, countries and peoples of Vietnam and Laos.

During the visit, the Party leader will convey the friendly sentiments and solidarity of the Vietnamese people to their Lao brothers, extend his congratulations on the success of the 10th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the election of deputies to the eighth National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils and affirm the Vietnamese Party, State and people’s consistent standpoint of supporting the Lao Party, State and people in successfully realising the Resolution of the 10th National Party Congress and the eighth five-year economic development plan for the 2016-2020 period.

The Vietnamese people sincerely congratulate their Lao brothers on the significant, comprehensive and historic achievements that the Lao Party, State and people have attained throughout their 30 years of implementing their policy of reform. Accordingly, Laos has safeguarded its independence and democracy, protected its territorial integrity and ensured social order and safety. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) registered a growth rate of 7.5%, with an average annual income per capital of about US$2,000. Laos has also seen continuous development in its culture and society, while its political system and democratic régime have also been unceasingly strengthened. In 2016, Laos has not only organised many important political events, but also performed its role as the Chair of ASEAN for 2016. Laos successfully hosted the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and relevant meetings. We strongly believe that, under the leadership of the LPRP, headed by Comrade Bounnhang Vorachith, our Lao brothers will continue attaining much bigger accomplishments in their reform process, successfully realise the Resolution of the 10th National Party Congress and successfully build a peaceful, independent, democratic, united and prosperous Laos in accordance with the goals of socialism.

As close neighbours, Vietnam and Laos have developed a close bond with each other. The close ties, strong solidarity, special relations and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples, fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane, have now reached a new height. They are invaluable assets nourished by the flesh, bone and huge sacrifices of the two peoples and are a big pride for both the Vietnamese and the Lao people. Those invaluable assets will surely continue to be preserved, protected and conveyed to future generations of the two countries and will be crucial as the Vietnamese and Lao people pursue greater victories in the new stage of their revolutions for the prosperity of each nation’s people.

Vietnam is happy to see that the special solidarity between the two countries continues to be solidified in an increasingly intensive and effective fashion. Bilateral political ties continue to be strengthened towards closeness and trust. The two sides have worked together to organise visits by senior leaders and their subordinates at all levels in the first year of their terms, while actively exchanging information and coordinating on regional and international issues, such as ASEAN, the subregional cooperation framework and the United Nations.

Once again, Vietnam sincerely thanks the Lao Party, State and people for their valuable support for the Vietnamese people during their struggle for national independence, as well as the current cause of national construction and protection. May our Lao brothers, under the clearsighted leadership of the LPRP, continue achieving much bigger victories and successfully realise the Resolution of the 10th National Party Congress and the 2016-2020 economic development plan.

General Secretary Trong’s official friendly visit to Laos will offer an opportunity for the two countries’ leaders to exchange ideas on policies, plans and issues for cooperation and measures to enhance the quality and efficiency of Vietnam-Laos cooperation in the 2016-2020 period, regarding the fields of politics, foreign affairs, national defence, security, economics, culture, education, science and cooperation between ministries and locales. Preparations for the organisation of activities marking 55 years of bilateral diplomatic ties and 40 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty in 2017, will also be on the working agenda for the two sides. The visit will provide an impetus for enhancing Vietnam and Laos’s great friendly relations, special solidarity, close bond, trust and comprehensive cooperation in the new development stage of each country, meeting the desires and interests of the two countries’ peoples for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and around the world.