President Tran Dai Quang: Practically developing the special Vietnam - Laos relationship

On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962 - September 5, 2017), President Tran Dai Quang gave an interview to the press about the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and the prospects for cooperation in the coming time.

Could the President please tell us the significance of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos?

Vietnam and Laos are two close neighbors, connected by mountains and rivers, and the people of the two countries have a traditional, loyal and long-standing relationship. Since the leadership of the Revolutionary Party, the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos has been built by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong, and has been diligently nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries.

That relationship has been tested through two long resistance wars against colonial and imperialist invaders, so it has been increasingly consolidated and developed, becoming an exemplary and pure example. This is an invaluable asset, a precious resource and an important factor ensuring the success of the revolutionary cause in each country.

The history of development in the two countries shows that without that special relationship, the past struggle for national liberation, as well as the current national construction and defense of the two countries, could not have achieved great achievements. Along with that, the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos has made an important contribution to creating an environment of peace, cooperation, stability and development in the region and the world.

Could you please tell us about the important milestones in the relationship between the two countries over the past 55 years?

After the 1962 Geneva Agreement on Laos was signed, on September 5, 1962, Vietnam and Laos officially established diplomatic relations. This was a major historical event, a very important milestone in the relationship between the two countries.

On the basis of unifying the revolutionary policies, strategies and tactics, entering the resistance war against the common enemy, the Vietnam Workers' Party (now the Communist Party of Vietnam) and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party raised high the flag of national independence, stood side by side, and advanced the revolutions of the two countries. After Vietnam's victory in completely liberating the South and unifying the country (April 30, 1975), the Lao People's Revolutionary Party launched the entire Party, people and army to rise up and seize power. On December 2, 1975, the Lao People's Democratic Republic was born, marking a great victory for the Lao people, and at the same time a victory of the special relationship, the loyal and steadfast alliance and fighting spirit between the Vietnamese and Lao peoples.

Since 1975, Vietnam - Laos relations have entered a new period - a period of comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States and peoples. On July 18, 1977, the two countries signed the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and the National Border Delimitation Treaty, raising the relationship between the two countries to a new height. Since the 4th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, both countries have carried out the process of innovation and international integration. Vietnam - Laos relations continue to have remarkable developments, effectively serving the cause of national construction and defense in each country.

Over the past 55 years, despite many complicated developments in the world and the region, the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos have remained increasingly close, developed deeply and achieved substantial results.

Cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, especially at the high level, have been strengthened and brought into play effectively, promoting the development of bilateral relations. Political relations have become increasingly close, trustworthy, developed and deepened. Border cooperation, security and defense have been promoted.

Economic cooperation between the two countries has been constantly developing. As of April 2017, Vietnamese enterprises have licensed 408 investment projects in Laos with a total capital of about 3.7 billion USD, ranking third among countries investing in Laos; many projects have been effective, producing and doing business profitably, contributing positively to the development of the two countries.

Cooperation in education and human resource training has been and is a priority area for both sides and has been improved in both quantity and quality. The two sides also cooperate closely in the fields of health, agriculture and rural development, transportation, and tourism. Cooperation between localities is focused on the formation of economic zones and trade exchanges through international and national border gates.

Along with bilateral cooperation, Vietnam - Laos relations are also clearly demonstrated at regional and international forums, contributing to enhancing the prestige and position of each country in the region and the world.

Could the President please tell us about the prospects of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos?

The great and historic achievements after more than 30 years of implementing the renovation process in each country have created great material and spiritual conditions to promote the continued strengthening of comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the coming time.

Based on the great results of cooperation between the two countries in recent times, the senior leaders of the two Parties and the two States have agreed to give the highest priority to jointly strive to elevate the special Vietnam-Laos relationship to a new height according to the motto of quality, efficiency, practicality, meeting the aspirations of the people of the two countries to successfully build a prosperous, strong, democratic, equitable, civilized Vietnam and successfully build a peaceful, independent, democratic, unified and prosperous Laos, actively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

On the occasion of this historic event, we firmly believe that, under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the glorious Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos will continue to be consolidated and developed, forever green and everlasting.

Thank you very much, Mr. President!

According to News/VNA