Hanoi (VNA)🧜 – Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Lao Party chief and President Bounnhang Volachith underscored the significance of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos during their talks in Hanoi on April 25.

Their talks took place right after the welcome ceremony of the highest rituals for the statesman. Party chief Trong said Bounnhang Volachith’s choosing Vietnam as the first destination after his election reflects the appreciation of the Lao Party and State and he himself for fostering the great friendship, special and pure solidarity, and all-around cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. He believed that the visit, which took place following the success of each National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the Lao National Assembly (eighth tenure), would further contribute to lifting ties between the two Parties and countries to a greater height. The Party, State and people of Vietnam strongly and fully support the renewal, national construction and defence of Laos, he stated, expressing his belief that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party led by Bounnhang Volachith, the fraternal Lao people will successfully realise the resolution set by the 10 th National Party Congress and the 2016-2020 socio-economic development scheme, building a Laos of peace, independence, democracy, unification and prosperity according to their socialism goals. Host and guest affirmed that under any circumstance, the two Parties and peoples will do their best to maintain and nurture the everlasting Vietnam – Laos ties. They vowed to intensify the bilateral comprehensive partnership on the basis of upholding the spirit of independence, self-reliance, fair and mutually beneficial cooperation while giving priority to each other for the sake of each country’s prosperity, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and the world. The two leaders agreed to further improve the quality of ideological exchange and the realities of Party building, State and socio-economic management while raising public awareness of the bilateral special relationship, and working closely together to celebrate the 55 th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 40 th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation next year. Both sides pledged close collaboration in regional and global issues and at multilateral forums, contributing to a strong ASEAN. They also committed to the sustainable and effective use and management of Mekong River water resources, and effectively carrying out projects in the Laos–Vietnam–Cambodia development triangle. Vietnam actively supports and shares its experience to help Laos fulfill its role as ASEAN Chair 2016, the host said. On the East Sea issue, the leaders stressed the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea. They consented to accelerating the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means and in line with international law, as well as fully and effectively abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and soon reaching a Code of Conduct in the East Sea. On the occasion, the Vietnamese leader also accepted his guest’s invitation to visit Laos in the foreseeable future. In the evening the same day, he hosted a banquet in honour of the Lao leader and his entourage.-VNA