Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith delivers speech at a meeting to celebrate Laos-Việt Nam relationship in Vientiane yesterday, — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

VIENTIANE — Top Lao leaders, including Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou, gathered in Vientiane yesterday to celebrate Laos-Việt Nam relationship.

Laos and Việt Nam marked the 40th year of their Treaty of Amity and Cooperation on July 18 and the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on September 5 this year.

A high-level delegation of Vietnam, led by Politburo member and National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tòng Thị Phóng, attended the celebration.

The establishment of diplomatic ties and the signing of the Việt Nam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Co-operation were vital to the great friendship, defence alliance and special solidarity between the two nations, Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith said in his speech.

They also provided a firm foundation and a driving force for the comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and the people, as well as was an important factor to ensure peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, he said.

Bounnhang highlighted the time-honoured relations between the two countries, stressing that the two nations stood shoulder to shoulder and supported each other during the long struggle for national independence, which was the decisive factor in the success of each country’s revolution, and the basis of their exemplary relationship.

He affirmed that under any circumstances, the bilateral relations would always be nurtured and fostered in a practical and effective manner, for the sake of the citizens.

The Lao leader expressed deep gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, State and the people for their huge and effective assistance to his country in the past and at present.

He also congratulated Việt Nam on its great achievements during the đổi mới (renewal) process, saying that his country considered it a great source of encouragement and valuable experience for Laos’ national defence and development.

Addressing the ceremony, Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tòng Thị Phóng said the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962 was an important landmark in the bilateral ties, while the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation laid an important political and legal basis for further strengthening the bilateral ties, serving the national development and defence of each country.

She thanked the Lao Party, State and the people for the great support they had given Việt Nam during its past struggles for national liberation, and for its current national development and defence.

The Vietnamese legislative leader called for joint commitment and efforts to maintain the exemplary and faithful relationship, which she described as a valuable common asset for the two nations.

While congratulating Laos on its achievements during the 30-year renewal process, Phóng expressed her belief that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the governance of the Lao Government, and the supervision of the Lao National Assembly, the country would successfully implement the Resolution of the 10th Party Congress and its five-year socio-economic development plan for the period between 2016 and 2020, thus increasing its position in the region and the world.

The same day, on behalf of the Vietnamese Party and State, Phóng presented the Gold Star Order to Lao Politburo and Prime Minister Sisoulith, the Hồ Chí Minh Order to six members of the Lao Party Politburo, and the Independence Order, first class, to three secretaries of the Lao Party Central Committee, in recognition of their great contribution to the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Việt Nam and Laos. — VNS