>>Strengthening Vietnam-Laos fraternal friendship
>>Promoting Vietnam-Lao special relationship

Mr. Trong was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung, NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu, Head of the Party Committee Commission for Foreign Relations Hoang Binh Quan, and other senior Vietnamese officials.

The Vietnamese Party leader was received at the airport by Lao Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith; Bunpon Buttanavong, member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party’s (LPRP) Politburo; Vientiane Lord Mayor Soukhan Mahalath; people of Vientiane and overseas Vietnamese in Laos.

At a working session between the two Party leaders, the LPRP General Secretary Sayasone welcomed his Vietnamese counterpart and said Laos is honoured to receive General Secretary Trong at the beginning of the new LPRP tenure.

Mr. Sayasone expressed his belief that the visit will be motivation for the two countries’ Parties, people, and armies to develop their traditional relationship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.

The Lao State President congratulated Vietnam on its successful 11th National Party Congress and the elections for the 13th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels. He spoke highly of Vietnam’s historical achievements during its renewal process, saying he is confident that the Vietnamese people will successfully implement the 11th Congress resolution and raise the country’s position in the region and the world.

General Secretary Trong expressed his thanks for the special sentiments from the Lao leaders and people.

Mr. Trong congratulated Laos on the success of the 9th LPRP National Congress and the 7th National Assembly election, as well as the achievements in its national construction and defence.

He said he believed that under the sound leadership of the LPRP, Lao people will carried out the resolution of the 9th National Party Congress and the five-year socioeconomic development plan successfully, bring Laos out of the underdeveloped status by 2020 and build a strong country with wealthy people, a united solidarity, and a democratic, just and civilized society.

Also at the working session, the two leaders reported to each other on each country’s situation and reaffirmed to maintain the traditional Vietnam-Lao relationship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, which were nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kayson Phomvihane as well as other leaders of the two countries.

Both sides agreed to boost the Vietnam-Lao comprehensive cooperation based on independence, self-reliance, equal cooperation, mutual benefit, and the integration of both countries’ special relationships under international rules.

Vietnam and Laos will expand cooperation between the two Parties and between ministries and localities. They will also promote communication of this special solidarity among the young generation.

The two sides appreciated the 33rd session of the Vietnam-Laos Joint Government Committee and pledged to work closely together to fulfill the strategic agreement on bilateral cooperation in economy, culture, education, science and technology and increase their two-way trade turnover to US$2 billion by 2015.

They agreed on measures to boost cooperation in defence and security, prevent anti-State activities of hostile forces and cross-border crime, upgrade the border marker system by 2014, and create a Vietnam-Laos borderline of peace, friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and sustainable development.

Regarding high-ranking meetings, they agreed to boost information exchanges and coordinate actions in regional and international organizations, especially in the framework of ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms for the benefits of both peoples, and strengthen cooperation for ensuring the sustainable use and preservation of the water resources in the Mekong River.

The two Party leaders expressed their hopes that concerned parties will settle the East Sea issue peacefully in compliance to international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to ensure peace and stability in the region.

General Secretary Trong said Vietnam will do its best to help Laos join the World Trade Organization (WTO) as soon as possible and organize the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in 2012.

Both leaders also decided on 2012 as Vietnam-Laos friendship and solidarity year to mark the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Lao Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

On the occasion, Mr. Trong invited his counterpart to visit Vietnam and Mr. Saysasone agreed with pleasure.