General Secretary holds talks with General Secretary and President of Laos

The two leaders affirmed that they will always attach importance to and strongly and comprehensively support the cause of innovation, construction and national defense of each country.

On November 24, in Vientiane, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held official high-level talks with General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith.

General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith warmly welcomed General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on an official friendship visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong holds official high-level talks with Lao General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong expressed his joy at revisiting the beautiful country of Laos and sincerely thanked the warm welcome and comradely and brotherly affection that the General Secretary, President and people of Laos had given to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the high-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam, vividly demonstrating the solidarity, friendship, closeness, loyalty and purity between the two Parties, States and peoples.

The two leaders emphasized the significance of the visit in the context of the two Parties having successfully organized their respective congresses in early 2016 and entering a new term, contributing to further deepening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, making it practical and effective, meeting the aspirations of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

In an atmosphere of friendship, special solidarity and mutual trust, the two sides informed each other about the situation of each Party and country and the results of implementing the Congress Resolution of each Party; discussed policies and measures to continue to develop the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in depth, effectively and substantially; and exchanged opinions on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong warmly congratulated the great and historic achievements that the Lao people have achieved over 30 years of renovation.

Lao General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith congratulated the great achievements that the Party, State and people of Vietnam have achieved over 30 years of renovation and the important results in the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress.

The Lao General Secretary and President believes that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people will successfully implement the Resolution of the 12th National Congress and the 5-year socio-economic development plan for the 2016-2021 period, continuing to achieve many new and greater achievements in the cause of innovation, development and national defense; expressed sympathy and shared with the Vietnamese people, especially the Central region, for the damage caused by natural disasters and floods.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong warmly congratulated the Lao people on the great and historic achievements gained over 30 years of renovation and the important results after one year of implementing the Resolution of the 10th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; and congratulated Laos on successfully organizing activities during its ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2016.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party headed by Comrade Bounnhang Vorachith, the Lao people will successfully implement the Resolution of the 10th National Congress, successfully building a peaceful, independent, democratic, unified and prosperous Laos according to socialist goals.

General Secretary and President of the Lao PDR Bounnhang Vorachith speaks at the talks with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The two Leaders were pleased to see that the special relationship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and countries are continuing to be constantly strengthened and increasingly deepened and effective in all fields.

The two Leaders agreed that in the context of the current world and regional situation, the stability and development of each country, as well as the stability and development of the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, are very important and irreplaceable factors for the cause of national construction and protection of each country; affirmed that they will always attach importance to and strongly and comprehensively support the cause of innovation, national construction and protection of each country.

The two leaders discussed and agreed on major orientations for developing bilateral relations in the coming time. Accordingly, the two sides agreed to strengthen political relations, maintain regular contacts between senior leaders of the two Parties and countries; deepen theoretical and practical exchanges and experiences in Party building, improve leadership and management capacity; focus on training and fostering cadres, especially leaders and managers at all levels; coordinate well in organizing activities to celebrate major holidays in 2017, thereby making the people, especially the younger generation, more deeply aware of the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

The two sides also emphasized strengthening cooperation in defense and security; enhancing connectivity between the two economies, especially in terms of institutions, transport infrastructure, energy and tourism; urgently perfecting mechanisms and policies and focusing on removing difficulties and obstacles; continuing to innovate and improve the quality and effectiveness of cooperation in the fields of education, training and human resources development; strengthening inspection, supervision and urging the implementation of the High-level Agreement and cooperation programs and projects between the two Parties and the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonsay Siphandone signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Party, State and people of Vietnam presenting the National Assembly building to the Party, State and people of Laos.

Regarding regional and international issues, based on sharing information on the current world and regional situation, the two leaders agreed to strengthen close coordination with each other at international and regional forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms; coordinate in managing and effectively using the Mekong River water resources, ensuring the harmony of interests of the Mekong River countries and the sustainable development goals of the basin.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong highly appreciated Laos's clear stance on the East Sea issue as ASEAN Chair in 2016 and stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea; agreed to strengthen ASEAN solidarity on the East Sea issue; promote the settlement of disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; 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), contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Head of the Central External Relations Commission Hoang Binh Quan and Head of the Central External Relations Commission of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party signed a Memorandum of Understanding on General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong donating a school to Borikhamxay province.

During the talks, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong announced that the Party, State and people of Vietnam decided to present the Lao National Assembly building at That Luang Square, the center of Vientiane Capital, to the Lao Party, State and people; and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong presented Borikhamxay province with a school building.

On behalf of the Lao Party, State and people, General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith sincerely thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for the meaningful gifts that fostered the Vietnam-Laos solidarity.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong respectfully invited General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith and his wife to visit Vietnam. General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith sincerely thanked and happily accepted the invitation.

Immediately after the talks, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents between the two countries, including: Memorandum of Understanding on the Party, State and people of Vietnam presenting the National Assembly building to the Party, State and people of Laos; Memorandum of Understanding on General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong presenting the high school building to Borikhamxay province; Agreement between the Central Committee for Mass Mobilization of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction in the 2016-2020 period; Agreement between the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Laos on investment in the construction of the Hanoi - Vientiane expressway; Agreement between the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Laos on the 5-year plan (2016-2020) to implement the Memorandum of Understanding on the Vietnam - Laos cooperation strategy; Agreement between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of Laos on adjusting the Vietnam - Laos strategic cooperation agreement in Huaphanh and Xiengkhuang provinces, Laos until 2020 and the Memorandum of Understanding on establishing a joint economic and trade cooperation website between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Laos./.

According to VOV