>> Lao leader begins Vietnam visit
This is the second official friendly visit of the Lao leader during his tenure (2016-2021). Taking place at a time when people in the two countries are positively realising the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the 10th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the visit is an important political event as it furthers the reaffirmation of the two countries’ consistent foreign policy priorities in maintaining and fostering traditional bilateral friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.
The Vietnam visit by the Lao leader is also an occasion for high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and States to review the Vietnam – Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017, thereby reinforcing the cohesion and political trust and close cooperation on strategic issues, contributing to deepening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
The Vietnamese people sincerely congratulated significant, comprehensive and historic achievements made by Lao Party, State and people throughout their 30 years of implementing their policy of reform. After the two-year implementation of the resolution of LPRP’s 10th National Congress and the eighth five-year socio-economic development plan, situations in all fields in Laos have been stabilised. The political security has been maintained, the economy has seen positive progresse with GDP growth rate of 7% in 2016 and an average income per capita of approximately US$2,472 per year. Defence and security have been strengthened and reinforced while the country’s external relations and international integration have been deepened and widened.
As two close neighbours, Vietnam and Laos have nurtured close-knit relations. The traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Laos, which was established by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane and has been assiduously cultivated by the generations of the two countries’ leaders and people, has become an invaluable asset of the two countries and one of the key factors to the success in the national construction and defence of each country, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.
We are pleased to see that the bilateral solidarity and trust continue to be consolidated in various aspects. During the Vietnam – Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017, the people of Vietnam and Laos have cheerfully organised a wide range of celebratory activities and exchanges, which have been held to deepen the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
The two sides have coordinated in popularising their people on the history of the Vietnam – Laos traditional solidarity as well as development achievements in each country. Activities have also been held to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
The two sides have worked closely to realise agreements reached by leaders of the two Parties as well as plans of cooperation signed between the two Governments, ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries, which have brought about fruitful outcomes in all fields all fields ranging from politics, security, defence, trade and investment to education and training, agriculture and culture.
The two sides have also been active in exchanging information and coordinating on regional and international issues, such as ASEAN, the sub-regional cooperation framework and the United Nations.
Vietnam wishes to thank the Party, Government and people of Laos for their valuable support and assistance towards Vietnam in the struggle for national independence in the past and the current process of national construction and defence. Vietnam hopes that under the clear-sighted leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Laos will continue to reap greater achievements, successfully implement the Resolution of the 10th Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Congress and the socio-economic development plan in the 2016-2020 period.
May the official visit to Vietnam by the Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith be successful and of benefit to both nations. It is believed that the visit will foster motivation that will lift the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two Parties, States and peoples into a new height for the interests of the two people and for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world.
