HÀ NỘI — High-ranking leaders of Việt Nam and Laos have agreed to give top priority to developing and lifting the two countries’ relationship to a new height in a practical and effective manner, President Trần Đại Quang has said. 

On the occasion of the 55^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, inaugurated September 5, 1962, Quang granted an interview to the media to discuss the two countries’ relationship. He stated the Việt Nam-Laos relationship, established by Vietnamese President Hồ Chí Minh and Lao Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong and nurtured by generations of the two countries’ leaders and people, was tested through the two resistance wars against colonialists and imperialists. Since then, it has been consolidated and developed. 

The friendship is a valuable treasure and an important factor ensuring the success of the revolutionary cause in each country, he affirmed. The countries’ development history shows that without this special relationship, their past struggles for national liberation as well as the current nation building could not achieve their potential. 

Moreover, the relationship has contributed to peace, cooperation, stability and development in the region and the world, he added. 

Regarding important milestones in the bilateral ties over the past 55 years, President Quang described September 5, 1962 when Việt Nam and Laos set up their diplomatic ties, as a major historical event and a key milestone in the two countries’ relations. 

On December 2, 1975, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was born, marking the victory of the Lao people as well as of the fighting alliance between Laos and Việt Nam. 

Since 1975, the bilateral relations have entered a new chapter – the era of comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, states, and peoples. 

On July 18, 1977, they signed a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and another Treaty on National Border Demarcation. According to Quang, over the past 55 years, despite complicated developments in the regional and global situations, the Việt Nam-Laos time-honoured friendship, special solidarity and all-around cooperation have developed extensively and effectively. Cooperation mechanisms, especially at the high-ranking level, have been consolidated, with growth in political, defence, security and economic collaboration. As of April, Việt Nam had run 408 projects totalling US$3.7 billion, ranking third among countries investing in Laos. In addition, Việt Nam and Laos have also coordinated closely at regional and international forums, thus helping increase each country’s position and prestige in the region and the world, he added. 

President Quang expressed his belief that under the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Việt Nam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the bilateral relations will continue to be consolidated and developed sustainably. — VNS