Lao, Vietnamese leaders vow to enhance ongoing close relationship
The Vice-President of Vietnam and Laos both expressed strong support for their ongoing relationship and reached consensus on areas for future cooperation during a meeting, local media reported on Tuesday.
Vietnamese Vice-President Nguyen Thi Doan's three day visit begun on Monday, in response to an invitation from Lao Vice- President Bounnhang Vorachit.
The two leaders held frank and open discussions on a broad range of topics on Monday, with the aim of strengthening long- standing friendly relations and cooperation between the two parties, states and people, local newspaper Vientiane Times said.
The close relationship between Laos and Vietnam pre-dates the formation of the modern state of Laos in 1975. The Laos communist party was initially established under the aegis of the Vietnamese communist party, and experienced strong support from the Vietnamese during the intermittent Civil War from 1953 1975 against the Lao Royalist forces.
This year is Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship year, marking fifty years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Both leaders congratulated each other on the success of the year's celebrations.
During the meeting, both Vorachit and Doan claimed to have reached consensus on directions for future cooperation in some areas, and re-confirmed existing cooperation agreements reached in the past. No specific details of future cooperation were released.
Vorachit said Laos had always supported Vietnam's foreign policy on peace, independence, self-ownership, friendship and cooperation, and thanked the government of Vietnam for their support of Laos's preparations for hosting the Asia-Europe Meeting in November.
Doan highly valued the efforts and close attention of Lao leaders in enhancing their friendly relations, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.
