Geneva (VNA) – Ambassador Phan Manh Dung on April 3 led a delegation from the Permanent Mission of Vietnam in Geneva to the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of Laos to pay tribute to former Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), former President and former Prime Minister of Laos Khamtay Siphandone.

Ambassador Dung extended his sympathy to staff of the Lao mission and wrote on the condolence book, expressing his deep sorrow over the passing of the Lao leader.

He described Khamtay as an outstanding leader, a steadfast revolutionary who dedicated his whole life to the independence, freedom, happiness of the people, and the prosperity of Laos. His passing is an immense loss to the Party, the State, and the people of Laos, as well as to his family, stated Dung.

The Party, State, and people of Vietnam have lost a great friend and a close comrade, whose important contributions greatly strengthened the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, wrote the ambassador.

Khamtay Siphandone, born on February 8, 1924, passed away at 10:30 am on April 2, according to a special communique by the LPRP Central Committee, National Assembly, and Government of Laos, and the Lao Front for National Construction Central Committee.

During the resistance war for national liberation, he stood shoulder to shoulder with Vietnamese military experts and volunteer soldiers in numerous battles on different fronts, contributing to the glorious victories of both nations in their fight against the common enemy.

In the cause of national protection, construction and development, he always cooperated closely with Vietnam to exchange and share experience, support, and assist each other. He was also one of the Lao leaders who maintained close, strong relations with Vietnamese leaders at all times, and paid due attention to nurturing, promoting, and deepening the bond between the two countries.

Since his retirement in 2006, he remained deeply concerned about and involved in the development of Laos as well as its special solidarity with Vietnam.

Also on April 3, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, and key officials of Vietnamese representative offices in New York also laid a wreath in commemoration of the Lao leader at the Permanent Mission of Laos to the UN.

Writing on the condolence book, Ambassador Giang conveyed the profound sorrow of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for the passing of Khamtay.

Ambassador Anouparb Vongnorkeo, Permanent Representative of Laos to the UN, appreciated the deep sentiments shown by the Party, State, and people of Vietnam towards Khamtay Siphandone. Hℱe particularly valued the presence of Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam, who led a high-level Vietnamese delega♔tion to attend the funeral in Vientiane, and Vietnam’s decision to declare two days of national mourning in honour of the Lao leader. This, he said, is a testament to the unparalleled solidarity between the Lao and Vietnamese Parties and people./.