Participants were Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisolith, and National Assembly Speaker Pany Yathotou.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong.
President Volachit underlined that the special solidarity between the two countries is always nurtured and fostered in all circumstances. The Viet Nam - Laos special solidarity has become an invaluable asset of the two countries, a vital relationship in the protection of national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and socialism building in each country, making active contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.
The Lao leader reviewed the long – standing tradition of two neighboring peoples. Geographical and historical proximity has brought Viet Nam and Laos closer together for generations. During the wars against foreign aggressors, as well as during periods of national construction and defense, the two countries have always stood side by side. He underscored the Viet Nam – Laos fighting alliance, which attributed to the victory of the two countries’ struggle for their national liberation.
He affirmed the great significance of the Viet Nam – Laos special relations, saying that with the aim of mutual support and assistance for prosperous development in each country.
General Secretary and President of Lao Bounnhang Volachith congratulated the great achievements and historic significance that Vietnam has achieved in the renovation process and regarded these achievements as a source of great encouragement, which are valuable lessons for Laos in the cause of protecting and building the country. He expressed deep thanks to the Party, State and people of Viet Nam due to giving Laos huge, effective support.
Addressing the ceremony, Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong said the establishment of diplomatic relationship in 1962 was an important landmark in the bilateral ties, while the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation laid an important political and legal basis for further strengthening the bilateral ties, serving national construction and defense of each country.
She thanked the Lao Party, State and people for the great support they have given to Viet Nam during the past struggles for national liberation, and the current national construction and defense.
She highlighted the Viet Nam – Laos special ties, describing it as an invaluable treasure of both nations. The bilateral relations, fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane with the two countries’ leaders and people further nurturing, is the rule for the development of each country’s revolution, she added.
Phong expressed her belief that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the governance of the Lao Government, and the supervision of the Lao National Assembly, the country will successfully implement the Resolution of the 10th Party Congress and its five-year socio-economic development plan for 2016-2020, thus elevating its regional and international profile.
On the same day, at the Lao National Convention Center, Tong Thi Phong, Member of the Politburo, Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly on behalf of the Party and State, awarded Gold Star Medal to Thongloun Sisoulith, Member of the Politburo, Prime Minister of Laos and Ho Chi Minh Order to 06 members of the Politburo and the First Independence Medal to three Secretaries of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, who havemade tremendous contributions and made great achievements in building and strengthening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos.
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