Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng (R) receives Politburo member, permanent member of the Secretariat of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, and Vice President of Laos, Phankham Viphavanh in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng yesterday called for comprehensive deepening of ties between Viet Nam and Laos in all areas, saying it would promote nation-building and security for both countries.

Việt Nam and Laos should continue to deepen their political ties, enhance close co-ordination in defence, security, and external affairs, strengthen economic, cultural, education, scientific and technological links, and step up cooperation between ministries, sectors and localities, he said.

The Party leader’s exhortation came at a reception held in Hà Nội for Politburo member, permanent member of the Secretariat of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, and Vice President of Laos, Phankham Viphavanh. 

Trọng also said Việt Nam strongly supported the reforms that Laos had undertaken, and expressed confidence that the country would record new and greater achievements in the effort.

He expressed his happiness at the effective growth of the special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries in all areas. He said this had contributed hugely to each country’s nation-building and national defence efforts, promoting in turn the cause of peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world at large. 

The two sides should proactively implement bilateral agreements, co-ordinate closely in organising activities to celebrate the Việt Nam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017, and promote appreciation of the special friendship among the youth of both countries as well among friends worldwide, he said. 

Phankham Viphavanh said was delighted that the growth in bilateral ties has brought tangible benefits for the people of both countries. He thanked Việt Nam for its “immense and productive assistance” to the people of Laos.

Laos would work together with Việt Nam to foster, preserve, promote the special Laos-Việt Nam relations and pass it on to younger generations, he stressed.

NA Chair, Lao VP laud growth in bilateral ties

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân and Lao Vice President Phankham Viphavanh agreed yesterday that bilateral co-operation had been enhanced by regular contacts at all levels.

Increased exchanges between the respective Parties, States, ministries, localities, sectors as well as people to people contact have borne positive results, they said at a meeting in Hà Nội.

The Lao Vice President is visiting Việt Nam to attend the 55th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic ties between the two countries as well as a ceremony marking 40 years since the signing of the Việt Nam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Co-operation. 

Ngân mentioned the success of a series of activities saluting the Việt Nam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year in Việt Nam’s Sơn La Province earlier this month, including a cultural, sports and tourism festival in border areas of both countries.

She thanked Laos for presenting its National Gold Medal to senior Vietnamese leaders on this occasion, saying the noble award carried great significance, demonstrating vividly the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries.

Viphavanh said activities to celebrate the Việt Nam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017 were plentiful and significant.

He expressed his wish that the legislatures of both counties will continue performing effectively their role in supervising implementation of commitments made and agreements reached by the two governments.

He said he was confident that in the coming years, around 10,000 Lao students in Việt Nam would actively foster the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries. — VNS