Lao Party leader affirms close-knit relationship with Vietnam

At the talks, both leaders compared notes on measures to efficiently carry out agreements between the two Parties and countries in 2016 and the subsequent years.

They consented to uphold the spirit of independence, self-reliance, equal cooperation and mutual assistance for each other’s prosperity and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and the world.

Both sides underscored the need to continue improving the quality of exchange programs on party building, and coordinate closely in organizing events to mark the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation in 2017. 

They underlined the need to settle disputes by peaceful means and in accordance with international law; together with concerned parties implement fully and efficiently the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and will soon achieve the Code of Conduct of  Parties (COC) for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

The same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with the Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachit.

Phuc said the Vietnamese government will closely work with the Lao government to foster the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomes General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Bounnhang Volachith

Phuc asked the two sides to strengthen solidarity, increase cooperation at regional and global forums, especially with the ASEAN cooperative framework, and contribute to peace and stability to promote development, maintain ASEAN’s common voice in addressing essential problems in the region including the East Sea issue and the management and sustainable use of water resources in the Mekong.

The Lao top leader affirmed that his nation will redouble efforts, together with the Vietnamese side, to lift the bilateral relations to a higher level.

He suggested the two Governments strengthen coordination to efficiently implement cooperation projects in order to further develop the economic, trade and investment ties between Laos and Vietnam. 

At a meeting with the Laotian leader in Hanoi the same day, Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan urged the two countries to increase cooperation and exchange information and experience in legislation, supervision and deciding major national issues. 

The Lao leader said he hoped the two countries’ legislatures would increase bilateral cooperation.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and the Lao Party leader

Also that day, Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held a banquet in honor of the Lao Party and State leader the Lao delegation.

Meanwhile, the visit to Vietnam by General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President Bounnhang Volachith is widely covered by the Vietnamese media.

The Nhan Dan (People) newspaper called Vietnam and Laos good neighbors and said the Party, State, and people of Vietnam do their best to work with Lao partners to nurture and develop Vietnam-Laos ties. 

The visit to Vietnam by President Volachith will enforce their traditional friendship, bring Vietnam-Laos ties to a new height, and benefit the two peoples for peace, stability, and development in the region.

The Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army) newspaper said the visit by President Volachith will help to confirm the consistent diplomatic policies of Vietnam and Laos which attach importance to maintaining and developing friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and will enhance political trust between the two Parties and states in the coming time.

During the visit, the two sides will discuss a score of measures to accelerate the implementation of high-level agreements reached by the two Parties and States, it said.