Raising the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos to a new height

(Baonghean.vn) -On the morning of August 29, Nghe An province solemnly held a ceremony to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Laos diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962 - September 5, 2017), and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977 - July 18, 2017).

Delegates attending the celebration. Photo: Thu Giang

On September 5, 1962, Vietnam and Laos officially established diplomatic relations, creating an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries, affirming the close fate of the two peoples in the struggle for national independence and reunification.

After the two countries were completely liberated, in order to develop the Vietnam - Laos relationship comprehensively and increasingly deeply, the two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation on July 18, 1977. Over the past 40 years, the Treaty has become an important political and legal basis for the two countries to continuously consolidate and develop the relationship, effectively serving the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

Over the past 55 years, Nghe An province has been proud to join with Lao provinces in enhancing the traditional relationship between the two countries. Up to now, the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Nghe An province and Lao provinces have been continuously consolidated, maintained and developed.

Party foreign affairs, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy with the provinces of Xieng Khouang, Bolikhamxay, Hua Phan, Vientiane, Kham Muon, Savannakhet, etc. are increasingly effective, going into depth, and achieving many outstanding results.

Delegates watch a documentary about the Vietnam-Laos friendship in general, Nghe An and Lao provinces in particular. Photo: Thu Giang

Delegations to visit, work, study and exchange experiences are organized regularly and diversely, from the provincial to the district, department and sector levels. Activities to support socio-economic development, national defense and security are focused on by both sides. With reasonable priority and incentive policies from both sides, trade and investment cooperation between Nghe An and Lao provinces has grown quite rapidly in recent years. In the fields of culture and education, Nghe An attaches great importance to cooperation in training and developing human resources for Lao provinces.

In addition, Nghe An and neighboring Lao provinces pay special attention to cooperation in territorial and border management and ensuring security and order in border areas. The search, recovery and collection of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos have received enthusiastic support from neighboring Lao provinces.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh affirmed that Nghe An province will work with Lao provinces to focus all efforts on raising the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos to a new height. Photo: Thu Giang

Emphasizing these great achievements, Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Dac Vinh expressed: “The Party Committee, government and people of Nghe An province always remember the sharing, wholehearted support and valuable help of the Party Committee, government and people of Lao ethnic groups and brotherly Lao provinces. In the face of the complex and unpredictable changes in the world situation and the development requirements of each country, we pledge to strive together and focus all efforts to elevate the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos to a new height.”

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Xieng Khouang Province, Somcot Mangnomech, on behalf of Laos's friendly provinces, emphasized that the close relationship and special solidarity between Laos and Vietnam has become and will forever be the rule of existence and development of the revolutionary cause of the two countries. Photo: Thu Giang

Representing the Lao provinces attending the ceremony, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Governor of Xieng Khouang Province Som-cot Mang-no-mech affirmed that the close relationship and special solidarity between Laos and Vietnam has become and will forever be the law of existence and development of the revolutionary cause of the two countries, and is a priceless asset of the people of the two countries. The provinces of Laos will cherish and constantly cultivate that relationship to develop further, at the same time educate their children to preserve and promote it further.

“This is an important duty and responsibility, a great honor. No matter how the world and surrounding situation change, we remain steadfast in our ideals, constantly cultivating the friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation that exists nowhere else in the world between the two Parties, two States and peoples of Laos and Vietnam to increasingly progress,” Comrade Xom-cot Mang-no-mech emphasized.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh, on behalf of the Party Committee, government and people of Nghe An province, received the Second Class Labor Medal awarded by the President of the Lao PDR. Photo: Thu Giang

Awarding Certificates of Merit from the Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee to collectives with many contributions to the cooperative relationship between Nghe An province and provinces of Lao PDR in the period 2012-2017. Photo: Thu Giang

At the ceremony, collectives and individuals who have made great contributions to the cooperative relationship between Nghe An province and the provinces of Lao PDR in the period of 2012-2017 were awarded Certificates of Merit by the Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee. Collectives and individuals of Nghe An province who have made great contributions to the cooperative relationship with Lao provinces were awarded Orders, Medals, and Certificates of Merit by the President and Prime Minister of Lao PDR, Certificates of Merit by the Secretary and Governor of Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane provinces.

Thu Giang