President: Vietnam always values ​​special relationship with Laos

The two sides affirmed that they will continue to give top priority and do their utmost to foster the traditional Vietnam-Laos friendship.

After a solemn welcoming ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, at 10:35 a.m. on June 12, President Tran Dai Quang and General Secretary and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Bounnhang Volachith led high-ranking delegations from the two countries to hold talks.

President Tran Dai Quang and General Secretary and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Bounnhang Volachith held talks.

Lao General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith warmly welcomed and highly appreciated the significance of the visit, especially since it was Mr. Tran Dai Quang's first State visit as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This demonstrates the importance of the Party, State and Government of Vietnam as well as President Tran Dai Quang himself to the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, which is unique in the world.

Lao General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith expressed his belief that the visit by President Tran Dai Quang and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation will contribute to strongly promoting and helping the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos to become increasingly stronger, blossom and bear fruit.

President Tran Dai Quang thanked General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith, Lao leaders and Lao people for their thoughtful, warm and friendly reception; and expressed his joy at the great and important achievements that the Lao Party, State and people have attained in recent times.

President Tran Dai Quang congratulated the great success of the 10th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the first election of deputies to the 8th National Assembly and the first provincial People's Councils of Laos; once again congratulated Mr. Bounnhang Volachith on being elected General Secretary and President and congratulated the comrades in the new Lao leadership.

President Tran Dai Quang affirmed that the leaders of the Party, State and Government of Vietnam always attach importance to the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, considering it a precious heritage that must be preserved and developed; expressed his belief that the Party, State, Government and people of Laos will successfully implement the Resolution of the 10th National Congress and the 8th Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan for the 2016-2020 period, and successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chair 2016.

President Tran Dai Quang greeted Lao delegates at the welcoming ceremony.

General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith expressed his deep gratitude to the Party, State and people of Vietnam for always providing great support and assistance to the revolutionary cause of liberation and national construction of the Lao people; believing that the special and great friendship and solidarity between Laos and Vietnam will forever develop strongly.

The two sides expressed their delight at the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples which have been continuously consolidated and developed in all fields in recent times; affirmed that they will continue to give the highest priority and do their utmost to foster the traditional friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos; considering this a law of development, of vital significance and one of the decisive factors ensuring the victory of each country's revolutionary cause.

The two sides agreed that in the coming time, it is necessary to continue to effectively implement the high-level agreements between the two countries and the results achieved at the 38th Session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation; successfully implement the Cooperation Plan between the two governments in 2016, the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Agreement for the 2016-2020 period, as well as the Joint Statement on the occasion of the recent visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith; the results achieved during the visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and the agreements reached during the current visit to Laos by President Tran Dai Quang.

The two sides also agreed to continue to increase delegation exchanges and high-level contacts, effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms; enhance political trust; improve the effectiveness of cooperation in all fields of politics, diplomacy, national defense and security, economy, trade, investment, etc.

The two sides affirmed their determination to effectively implement the Protocols on defense and security cooperation for the 2016-2020 period, the Protocol on Vietnam-Laos border lines and border markers and the Agreement on the Regulations on Border Management and Border Gates of the two countries (signed in early 2016); the New Trade Agreement and the Vietnam-Laos Border Trade Agreement (signed in 2015); to continuously strengthen and enhance the connectivity and complementarity between the two economies (energy connection, transportation, etc.), to build a road system connecting key economic regions of the two countries; to promote cultural exchange and people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides actively coordinated to organize activities to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty in 2017. The two sides agreed to coordinate in building historical commemorative works between the two countries to educate the young generations of Vietnam and Laos about the tradition of solidarity and friendship.

The two sides agreed that the international and regional situation has many complex and intertwined developments, and agreed that the two countries need to pay more attention to monitoring the situation, exchanging and helping each other to ensure security and stability in each country. The two sides affirmed to continue to closely coordinate at international and regional forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

President Tran Dai Quang greeted overseas Vietnamese welcoming the delegation at the airport.

President Tran Dai Quang affirmed that Vietnam actively and comprehensively supports Laos' role as ASEAN Chair, and will coordinate with and support Laos in successfully organizing the ASEAN Summit and related conferences.

The two sides affirmed to closely coordinate to strengthen ASEAN solidarity, enhance ASEAN's central role in the regional security structure; emphasize the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea; agree with ASEAN countries to promote the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, on the basis of international law; work with parties to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) to maintain peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The two sides agreed to continue to strengthen close coordination with each other and with other countries and international organizations in managing and sustainably and effectively using the Mekong River's water resources.

On this occasion, President Tran Dai Quang presented Sekong province with a school worth 1 million USD. Lao President Bounnhang Volachith highly appreciated this meaningful gift which will contribute to the development of education in Sekong province, which is still facing many difficulties.

The talks took place in an atmosphere of friendship, sincerity, trust, and in the spirit of comradeship./.

According to VOV