Speech by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the ceremony celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong delivers a speech at the ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

"Dear delegates and guests,

Dear Lao and Vietnamese comrades,

With excitement and pride at the steady development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, Laos and Vietnam, today, in Hanoi and Vientiane, our two countries solemnly celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries.

In the atmosphere of solidarity, friendship and brotherhood and the shared joy of the Vietnamese and Lao peoples, we are very pleased to welcome the high-ranking delegation of the Lao Party and State led by Comrade Bounthong Chitmany - Politburo member, Permanent Secretary of the Central Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Vice President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to attend this solemn celebration, bringing to the Party, State and People of Vietnam warm comradely and brotherly feelings.

On behalf of the leaders of the Party, State and People of Vietnam, I would like to send to Comrade Bounthong Chitmany and the Lao comrades present here, and through you, to the leaders of the Party, State and people of the Lao ethnic groups, my warmest greetings and sincere best wishes.

Dear comrades and friends,

As two close neighboring countries, drinking from the same Mekong River and leaning against the majestic Truong Son mountain range, Vietnam and Laos have a tradition of friendly relations and are closely connected throughout the history of building and defending the two nations.

More than nine decades ago, sharing the burning desire to escape the yoke of colonial rule and gain national independence, the revolutionary predecessors of the two countries together founded the Indochinese Communist Party - the predecessor of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party today. Under the leadership of the Indochinese Communist Party, the struggle movement of the Vietnamese and Lao peoples took place increasingly widely and closely, with the spirit of comradeship, blood brothers and indomitable revolutionary will, creating great strength, helping both peoples gain power in 1945, with the birth of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2 and the Lao Issala Government on October 12, 1945.

In the following years, the Indochinese Communist Party was split into three parties in each country of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, leading the fighting alliance, coordinating and supporting each other in military, political and diplomatic fields, together winning one victory after another, forcing the French colonialists to sit at the negotiating table with the participation of all the Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council, leading to the recognition of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the three countries at the Geneva Conference in 1954.

The glorious victories of the Lao revolution in particular and the Vietnam-Laos fighting alliance in general in the next 8 years continued to lead to the signing of the Geneva Agreement on Laos on July 23, 1962, recognizing the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Laos. Only 2 months later, on September 5, 1962, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations, demonstrating the continuous continuation of the Vietnam-Laos fighting alliance as well as the spirit of solidarity and mutual support between the two peoples on both the military and foreign fronts, marking an important milestone in the history of Vietnam-Laos relations in the modern period.

For more than a decade after that, the army and people of our two countries continued to stand side by side, fought steadfastly together and won glorious victories on both sides of the Truong Son mountain range and the historic Ho Chi Minh trail, moving towards the complete victory of each country's revolution in 1975. From then on, the relationship between Vietnam and Laos entered a new page in history, from an alliance fighting in the same trench to comprehensive cooperation between two independent and sovereign nations, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the people of the two countries stood side by side from the very first days full of challenges and hardships, protecting and building the socialist Fatherland in each country. The two Parties and two countries have supported each other, gradually restoring the socio-economy after the war, and gradually forming and developing cooperative relations in important fields such as economics, culture, society, education, training, national defense, security and foreign affairs...

Stemming from the need for deep and urgent cooperation between the two countries in the new situation, on July 18, 1977, Vietnam and Laos signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, which stated: "The two sides pledge to make every effort to protect and develop the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, constantly strengthen solidarity and mutual trust, long-term cooperation and mutual assistance in all aspects in the spirit of proletarian internationalism and according to the principles of complete equality, respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect for each other's legitimate interests, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs." Over the past 45 years, this Treaty has become a valuable asset and of extremely important significance, a solid legal basis for the two countries to continuously expand their special friendship and comprehensive cooperation. The treaty is also a premise for the two countries to sign a series of documents and cooperation agreements in all fields of politics, security, defense, economy, trade, investment, education, training, etc.

Dear comrades and friends,

In the new period of national construction and defense, under the guiding light of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh thought in Vietnam and Kaysone Phomvihane thought in Laos, our two Parties and two countries continue to stand side by side in the renovation process, together achieving enormous achievements in socio-economic development, maintaining political stability, security, safety and social order, bringing an increasingly prosperous and peaceful life to the people of each country. These achievements were not only thanks to the efforts of each Party and each country, but also thanks to the important contributions of the sincere and loyal Vietnam-Laos cooperative relationship over the past 45 years since the two countries signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

Looking back at the glorious historical journeys that the two nations have gone through together, we have every right to be proud of the exemplary, extremely pure, and extremely loyal relationship between the two Parties, two States, and the People of Vietnam and Laos. The special Vietnam-Laos relationship was directly founded by the great leaders President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong; painstakingly built, preserved, and nurtured with the sweat, effort, and even blood of generations of the two countries' soldiers and people; and has truly become a priceless asset, a "unique" relationship in world history. As President Kaysone Phomvihane affirmed: "In the history of world revolution, there have been many shining examples of proletarian internationalism, but nowhere and never before has there been such a special, long-lasting, and comprehensive fighting alliance."

I would like to affirm and emphasize that the solidarity, cooperation and mutual assistance between Vietnam and Laos is an objective law, a vital factor for each Party and each country; at the same time, it is a priceless common asset and a foundation for our two countries to develop together in the next historical periods. Vietnam and Laos are not only two neighboring countries, but also "two brotherly and comradely countries".

Dear comrades and friends,

We are always deeply aware that every victory in the past struggle for national liberation as well as in the current cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam is closely linked to the valuable, timely, wholehearted and righteous support and assistance of the Party, State and people of the fraternal Lao ethnic groups. On this occasion, I would like to once again express the deep gratitude of the Party, State and People of Vietnam to the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the State of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the fraternal Lao people.

The Vietnamese people today and forever will always remember and engrave in their hearts the advice of President Ho Chi Minh: "The love between Vietnam and Laos, our two countries, is deeper than the Red River and the Mekong Delta" and the heartfelt words of President Souphanouvong: "The love between Vietnam and Laos is higher than mountains, longer than rivers, wider than oceans, brighter than the full moon, more fragrant than the most fragrant flower".

As close and loyal comrades and brothers, the Party, State and People of Vietnam always pay attention to and are proud of the great, comprehensive and historically significant achievements that the Party, State and people of Laos have achieved in their glorious revolutionary cause. In the face of many difficulties and challenges, the Party, State and people of Laos have promoted their indomitable heroic tradition, overcome all challenges, maintained security and national defense, successfully implemented socio-economic development plans, continued the renovation process, constantly improved people's lives, and gradually raised the country's position in the international arena. We believe that, under the wise leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the resolute and effective management of the Government and the joint efforts of the National Assembly, the Lao people will certainly overcome current difficulties and successfully implement the Resolution of the 11th Party Congress and the 9th Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan.

Dear comrades and friends,

In recent years, we are pleased to see that, overcoming many difficulties and challenges, including the unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperative relationship between the two Parties and the two countries of Vietnam and Laos continues to develop steadily, becoming increasingly deeper and more effective.

Political relations have been continuously strengthened and enhanced, from "traditional friendship" to "great friendship" since February 2019, becoming increasingly trustworthy and close, continuing to help guide other areas of cooperation. In the field of foreign affairs, effective coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums have contributed to enhancing the position of Laos and Vietnam in the region and the international arena, as well as contributing to strengthening peace, stability and development of the ASEAN community.

Defense-security cooperation continues to be one of the most important pillars in the special relationship between the two countries. Economic cooperation has been promoted and achieved many positive results, bringing practical benefits to the people and businesses of the two countries. Notably, two-way trade turnover has continuously increased at double-digit rates in recent years; Vietnam maintains its position as the third largest investor in Laos with a total registered capital of about 5.4 billion USD. Cooperation in education and training - a strategic cooperation area between the two countries, as well as cooperation in culture, health, transportation, and energy are increasingly consolidated and promoted. Relations between localities, especially between the provinces bordering the two countries, are becoming increasingly close.

The spirit of solidarity and important achievements in the bilateral relationship not only facilitate the cause of innovation, socio-economic development, national construction and protection in each country, and consolidate the position and strength of each country, but also contribute to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the region and the world.

Dear comrades and friends,

In the context of the world and regional situation having rapid, complicated and unpredictable developments; humanity is facing many great challenges such as war, local conflicts, fierce competition between major countries, non-traditional security issues such as epidemics, energy and food shortages; our two Parties, two States and peoples need to unite, bond and strengthen cooperation even more to overcome all difficulties together, continue to steadfastly pursue the goal of national independence and socialism; together do our utmost to protect and constantly foster the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The Party, State and People of Vietnam always strongly and comprehensively support Laos's renovation process; at the same time, highly value and give top priority to the special relationship between our two Parties and countries, both comradely and fraternal. We always wish to cooperate and support Laos in the spirit of "helping a friend is helping ourselves", considering this a strategic task; wish to work with the Party, State and People of Laos to constantly foster political trust, promote security and defense cooperation, strengthen connectivity between the two economies, constantly improve the quality of educational and training cooperation, together build an independent, self-reliant and deeply integrated economy; together strive for cooperation achievements to be increasingly commensurate with the stature of the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, as well as the expectations of the Leaders and People of the two countries.

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  "Vietnam-Laos friendship is brighter than the full moon, more fragrant than the most fragrant flower."

No matter how the world changes, we are determined to work together to preserve and promote the special, loyal and steadfast Vietnam-Laos relationship, in accordance with the wishes of President Kaysone Phomvihane: "Mountains may wear away, rivers may dry up, but the Vietnam-Laos friendship will forever be stronger than mountains and rivers."

In the atmosphere of solidarity, friendship and joy celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, I wish the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States and peoples of Vietnam and Laos to be forever green and everlasting in accordance with the guiding ideology of President Ho Chi Minh:

Love each other can climb any mountain

Any river can be waded, any mountain can be crossed

Vietnam and Laos, our two countries

Love deeper than the Red River and Mekong River!

Wishing the leaders, former leaders of the Party, State and all Lao and Vietnamese comrades good health, happiness and success.

Thank you comrades and friends".