Party General Secretary meets with Lao leaders

>>Vietnam, Laos continue to develop traditional relationship

During his working session with Ms. Yathortou, Mr. Trong expressed hope that the Vietnamese and Lao NAs and their legislative agencies would enhance exchanges of expertise in legislative, supreme supervision and other important issues of the country. 

The two NAs should join in inspecting and supervising the two Governments to implement bilateral cooperation agreements, helping deepen the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, he said. 

The Vietnamese NA leader also proposed the two legislative bodies continue with exchange of information and close coordination at international forums, particularly within the framework of cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other related sub-regional cooperation mechanisms. 

Ms. Yathortou thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and NA for strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two NAs, contributing to the two nations’ development and the two peoples’ better lives. 

While meeting with Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, General Secretary Trong said he was happy at the constant development of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos despite complicated regional and world situations. 

The Lao PM affirmed that the Lao Party, Government and people would try their best to actively implement the agreements reached between the two Politburos and other important documents signed during the current visit to Laos by Vietnamese Party General Secretary and NA Chairman Trong. 

At a reception given to Lao Deputy President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Tong Yeutho on June 20, Party General Secretary and NA Chairman Trong highlighted the important role of the Front in the political system of each country, building the great national unity bloc and making practical contributions to developing the two countries’ special solidarity. 

He said he hoped the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the LFNC would continue exchanging experience, mutual assistance and educating the fine traditions between the two peoples. 

LFNC Lao Deputy President Tong Yeutho said that the LFNC will actively popularise the tradition of the Laos-Vietnam relations to all walks of life in Laos. 

At a meeting with President of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association (LVFA) Phankham Viphavan, Party General Secretary and NA Chairman Trong spoke highly of the association’s diversified and practical activities, which have contributed to strengthening multifaceted cooperative relations between the two countries as well as mutual understanding and close friendship between the people. 

In 2012, the two countries will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 35th year of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Agreement, he said, urging LVFA and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association to work closely with each other in a bid to celebrate such important events. 

For his part, LVFA President Phankham Viphavan said the 35-year-old association has promulgated and educated the entire population, especially the younger generation, to preserve and develop the traditional relations between the two countries while stepping up the implementation of agreements reached by the two sides. 

The two associations have carried out an array of activities and will continue to partner with each other more closely in the future to contribute to prospering the Vietnam-Laos special relations, he said. 

Also on the day, Lao General Secretary and President Choummaly Sayasone and his wife held a reception for Party General Secretary and NA Chairman Trong and his high-ranking delegation. 

Both host and guest considered the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation a valuable asset of the two countries’ Parties, States and people, which was fostered by the late President Ho Chi Minh and his counterpart Kaysone Phomvihane. 

During his stay in Laos, the Vietnamese Party and legislative chief visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos. 

At a meeting with the embassy’s staff and Overseas Vietnamese, he praised the efforts of the Vietnamese representative agency in Laos and the Overseas Vietnamese community’s role in boosting the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.