HÀ NỘI – Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and Lao Party chief and President Bounnhang Volachith underscored the significance of traditional friendship and co-operation between Việt Nam and Laos during their talks in Hà Nội yesterday. 

Their talks took place after a welcome ceremony of the highest rituals for the statesman. 

Trọng said Bounnhang Volachith’s choosing Việt Nam as his first destination after his election reflected the appreciation that himself and Việt Nam have for the Lao Party and State for fostering friendship, solidarity and co-operation between Việt Nam and Laos. 

He believed that the visit, which took place following each National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the Lao National Assembly (eighth tenure), would contribute to strengthening ties between the two Parties and countries. 

The Party, State and people of Việt Nam fully support the renewal, national construction and defence of Laos, he stated, expressing his belief that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party led by Bounnhang Volachith, the Lao people will successfully realise the resolution set by the 10th National Party Congress and the 2016-20 socio-economic development scheme, building a Laos of peace, independence, democracy, unification and prosperity. 

The host and guest affirmed that the two Parties and peoples will do their best to maintain and nurture Việt Nam – Laos ties. 

They vowed to intensify the bilateral comprehensive partnership while giving priority to each other for the sake of each country’s prosperity, and for peace, stability, co-operation and development. 

The two leaders agreed to further improve the quality of ideological exchange and the realities of Party building, State and socio-economic management while raising public awareness of the bilateral relationship and working closely together to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation next year. 

Both sides pledged collaboration in regional and global issues and at multilateral forums, contributing to a strong ASEAN. They also committed to the sustainable and effective use and management of Mekong River water resources, and effectively carrying out projects in the Laos–Việt Nam–Cambodia development triangle. 

Việt Nam supported and shared its experience to help Laos fulfil its role as ASEAN Chair 2016, the host said. 

The leaders also stressed the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea. 

They consented to accelerating the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means and in line with international law, as well as fully and effectively abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and soon reaching a Code of Conduct in the East Sea. 

The Vietnamese leader also accepted his guest’s invitation to visit Laos in the future. 

On the evening of the same day, he hosted a banquet in honour of the Lao leader and his entourage.

Meeting PM and NA head

At his meeting with the Lao guest yesterday, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc confirmed that the Vietnamese Government would continue doing its utmost to co-ordinate with the Lao side in nurturing the two countries’ friendship and co-operation. 

Phúc lauded Laos’ socio-economic development achievements, believing that under the sound leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the country would make further progress. 

He suggested the two sides carry out co-operative mechanisms approved by their high-level leaders, with the priority given to the 2016 Việt Nam-Laos bilateral co-operation agreement, as well as speeding up the implementation of Việt Nam’s investment projects in Laos and completing the establishment of a project on connectivity between the two economies soon. 

The Vietnamese Government leader also asked both sides to intensify solidarity and co-operation at regional and global forums, especially within the ASEAN co-operative framework, and contribute to peace and stability. 

The Lao leader affirmed that Laos will exert extra efforts, together with the Vietnamese side, to lift bilateral relations to a new height. 

He requested the two Governments strengthen co-ordination to implement co-operation projects to further develop the economic, trade and investment ties between Laos and Việt Nam. 

On the same day, the Lao guest was received by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân who said that in her new position, she would work to boost collaboration between the two legislative bodies and nurture the Việt Nam-Laos friendship. 

Regarding the relationship between the two bodies, she stressed the need for them to intensify the sharing of information and experience in legislative affairs, supervision and decision making. 

Sharing the same opinion, the Lao Party and State leader suggested the two National Assemblies maintain co-operation in fields of mutual concern. — VNS