Laos, Vietnam strengthen special relationship

Appreciating the outcomes of the talks the end of last month in Vientiane between the President of the Lao Front for National Construction and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, they shared their hope that on the basis of a freshly-signed cooperation agreement for 2022-2027.

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien (left) meets Laos’ Party Secretary General and State President Thongloun Sisoulith.                   --Photo VNA/VNS

The two fronts will intensify exchanges and experience sharing, and better their coordination, contributing to nurturing and consolidating the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Do Van Chien was paying an official visit to Laos and he met with Laos’ Party Secretary General and State President Thongloun Sisoulith, and paid courtesy visits to Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and President of the National Assembly (NA) Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane.
Chien expressed his hope that the leaders will maintain their support to help the two fronts effectively implement the new agreement and create favourable conditions for them to successfully hold an international conference on building a Vietnam-Laos border of peace, friendship and cooperation for mutual development in October 2022 in Laos; and to coordinate with Cambodia to effectively implement the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on a cooperation programme in the 2021-23 period.
According to the Vietnam News in the middle of last month, solidarity, cooperation and mutual assistance between Vietnam and Laos are the foundations of the success the two countries have found in working together in the past and will build on going forward, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said.
He made the statement on Monday at the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations being established between Vietnam and Laos, and also the 45 anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking at the ceremony, Party General Secretary Trong confirmed that Vietnam and Laos were not just neighbours, but also brothers and comrades.
He emphasised that the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos was laid by great leaders such as President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong.
The relationship had been built, preserved and nurtured with the sweat, efforts and blood of generations of soldiers and people from the two countries. It truly became an invaluable asset, a “unique” relationship in world history.
Expressing the deep gratitude of the Vietnamese Party and State, and the people to the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the State and Lao people, Party General Secretary Trong said that the Vietnamese people would always remember President Souphanouvong’s saying: “The friendship between Vietnam and Laos is higher than mountains, longer than rivers, wider than seas, brighter than the full moon and more fragrant than the most fragrant flower”.
He expressed his belief that, under the wise leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the effective management of the Government and the joint efforts of the National Assembly and people, Laos would overcome difficulties and successfully implement the Resolution of the 11th Party Congress and the 9th five-year socio-economic development plan.
Overcoming many difficulties and challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperation relationship between the two Parties and countries continued to develop steadily and effectively.
Political relations have been constantly strengthened and enhanced, becoming more and more reliable, helping define the direction of cooperation areas.
In the field of foreign affairs, the effective coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums have contributed to enhancing the position of Laos and Vietnam in the region and in the world, contributing to the peace, stability and development of the Asean Community.
Defence-security cooperation continues to be one of the most important factors in the special relationship between the two countries. Economic cooperation continues to be engaging and has achieved many positive results, bringing practical benefits to the people and businesses of the two countries.
Notably, two-way trade turnover has increased in recent years. Vietnam maintains its position as the third-largest investor in Laos with total registered capital of about US$5.4 billion.
Cooperation in education and training, culture, health care, transport, and energy has been increasingly consolidated and promoted.
Relations between localities, especially in bordering areas of the two countries, have become increasingly close.

By Khonsavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update August 5, 2022)