VietNamNet Bridge – General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), President Choummaly Sayasone, received Vietnamese State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan on June 19 during her three-day official visit to Laos.

President Sayasone appreciated Mrs Doan’s visit to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam-Lao Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

He conveyed his regards to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Truong Tan Sang and other senior Party and State leaders, while thanking them for upgrading the Vietnam-Laos special friendship to a higher level.

Vice President Doan praised the significant achievements the Lao people have recorded in recent years under the leadership of President Sayasone, which have helped Laos maintain political stability and social security, improve people’s living standards, and raise its regional and international status.

Vietnam describes its traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos as invaluable assets that must be preserved and passed down to the next generations.

Vietnam affirmed it will support Laos in joining the Worth Trade Organisation (WTO) soon, as well as in hosting the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9) and the 7th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP 7) forum later this year.

Vice President Doan informed the Lao Party leader about the results of her talks with the senior Lao delegation led by Boungnang Volachit, Politburo member and permanent member of the LPRP Secretariat.

The same day, Mrs Doan met with the Central Committee of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association and visited the family of former Chairman of the Lao Front for National Construction Sisavat Keobunphan.

She also visited a golf course and hotel complex run by the Long Thanh-Vientiane Company, which has invested more than US$1 billion in Laos and generated nearly 500 jobs for local workers.

 * Deputy PM voices nation's support for Lao reforms

Viet Nam attaches great importance to its special relationship with Laos and this would continue, especially in the fields of public affairs, local authority management and administrative reform.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said this while receiving the Lao Minister for Home Affairs, Khampan Philavong, in Ha Noi yesterday, June 19.

Phuc said the visit was a practical way of marking the 2012 Year of Viet Nam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity, the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, and the 35th year since the signing of the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship and Co-operation Treaty on July 18, 1977.

He said Viet Nam was ready to provide professional assistance to the Lao Ministry for Home Affairs by sending specialists to help draw up policies and laws.

Viet Nam would also run training courses for Lao officials and help the country put administrative reforms in place.

VietNamNet/VOV