Hanoi (VNA) – A ceremony was held in Hanoi on July18 to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomaticrelations (1962-2022) and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the bilateralTreaty of Amity and Cooperation (1977-2022).

Participants at the event included Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong,President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National AssemblyChairman Vuong Dinh Hue, as well as incumbent and former Party and Stateleaders.

Politburo member, permanent member of the Lao People’sRevolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee’s Secretariat and Lao VicePresident Bounthong Chitmany and a high-ranking delegation of the Party andState of Laos attended the event.

Addressing the event, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongunderlined that the Vietnam-Laos relationship, founded by President Ho ChiMinh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong and nurtured bygenerations of soldiers and people of both countries, has become a pricelessasset and a unique relationship in the world history.

The Vietnamese Party leader affirmed that the solidarity,cooperation and mutual support between Vietnam and Laos is an objectiverule and a factor of vital significance to each Party and nation, a sharedasset and a foundation for their development during the future historical periods.

The Party chief expressed belief that under the sound leadership of the LPRP and the effective management of the Lao Government aswell as efforts of the National Assembly, the Lao people will surely overcomecurrent difficulties and successfully implement the resolution of the 11th National Party Congress and its 9th five-year socio-economic development plan.

Despite difficulties and challenges, including those broughtby COVID-19 pandemic, the partnership between the two Parties and countrieshas continued to grow steadily in a deep and effective manner, he said,noting that the bilateral political relations have been constantly reinforced and elevated from a traditional friendship to a great friendship, guiding their cooperation in other fields.

General Secretary Trong went on to say that Vietnam and Laos have shown effective collaboration andmutual support at multilateral forums, which helped enhance the position of both Vietnam and Laos in the region and the world, and contributed to strengthening peace, stability and development of the ASEAN Community.

According to the leader, defence-security continues to be one of the most important pillars in bilateral ties, whileeconomic cooperation has been fruitful, with two-way trade constantly rising at two digits over recent yearsand Vietnam being the third largest investor in Laos with total investment ofabout 5.4 billion USD. Bilateral partnership in education-training - a strategic cooperative field  as well as in culture,health care, transport and energy has also been growing, the same as ties amonglocalities of both sides, he said. 

He underlined that amid the rapid, complicated andunpredictable changes in the world and region, the two Parties, State andpeoples should further solidify their solidarity and cooperation, while workinghard together to protect and promote their great friendship, special solidarityand comprehensive partnership.

The Party, State and People of Vietnam always strongly andcomprehensively support the renewal cause of Laos, while attaching greatimportance and give top priority to the special relationship that is both brotherhood andcomradeship between the two Parties and countries.

For his part, Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany stressedthat the Party, State and people of Laos are proud to make contributions to the combatalliance with Vietnam. He highlighted the significance of the bilateral Treatyof Amity and Cooperation, an important legal foundation for the comprehensive cooperationbetween the two countries.

He said that despite current difficulties, Vietnam has stillgiven timely and precious support to Laos, which vividly reflects the rare andspecial ties between Laos and Vietnam.

He said that the great achievements of Vietnam in all fields provide a motivation for Laos during the country’s national defence andconstruction./.