President Tran Dai Quang has told Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith that Vietnam always treasures and gives top priority to preserving and developing the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity. 

President Tran Dai Quang (R) welcomes Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith

At a reception for the visiting Lao PM in Hanoi on October 3, President Quang also affirmed that Vietnam whole-heartedly supports the cause of national reform, defence and construction of Laos.

He lauded the Lao leader’s visit, which aims to further promote and deepen the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity, especially when the two countries are celebrating the 55th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and 40 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

The State leader congratulated Laos on its important achievements in both interior and foreign affairs, expressing his belief that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and State, the Lao people will continue building Laos into a more prosperous nation.

President Quang congratulated the Lao PM for being bestowed the Gold Star Order, the highest decoration of the Vietnamese State.

He proposed that leaders of both countries continue working closely in directing the organization of effective and practical celebrations in 2017. He also took the occasion to invite Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith to visit Vietnam and attend a ceremony to conclude the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship Year 2017.

President Quang said that as the host of the APEC Year 2017, Vietnam invites Lao Party General Secretary and President Vorachith to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Da Nang in November as a leader of the guest economy along with leaders of Cambodia and Myanmar.

PM Sisoulith said that Lao Party General Secretary and President Vorachith will visit Vietnam in December to attend the ceremony concluding the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship Year 2017 and participate in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in November.

The Lao PM also briefed the President on major activities that Laos have held this year to mark the special events of the two countries.

Although Laos is not a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, the country will try its best to contribute to the success of the APEC Year 2017 during its first participation as a guest economy, he said.

VNA