Leaders of the Party, State, National Assembly and Government separately received in Hanoi on July 18 Bounhang Volachith, Politburo member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and permanent member of the LPRP Central Committee’s Secretariat and Vice President.

In his reception, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed Bounhang Volachith, who led a high-ranking Lao Party and State delegation, to pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the meeting to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and the 35 years since the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty between both countries.

The visit reflects the vivid manifestation of the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity, he said.

The Party leader affirmed that in any circumstance, Vietnam, together with Laos, will spare no effort to maintain, foster the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity for interest of each country’s people, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Bounhang Volachith informed General Secretary Trong of the recent situation in Laos . He affirmed that Laos will work closely with Vietnam to effectively implement agreements between senior leaders of both Parties and States, contributing to successfully implementing resolutions of each Party.

In his meeting, President Truong Tan Sang affirmed that the two countries’ special solidarity, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation have seen development. He stressed that the Vietnamese Party and State highly valued visits to Vietnam by Lao leaders, and wished both sides continue to maintain exchanges of delegations at all levels to further tighten friendship and mutual confidence, particularly in the 2012 Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year.

The President hailed cooperation between the two State President’s Offices, especially the signing of cooperation agreements, saying that they are legal basis for both offices to continue sharing experience and provide mutual assistance.

Vice President Bounhang Volachith spoke highly of activities in the friendship year, saying that cooperation exchange in politics, economics and culture between the two countries’ agencies and sectors has been more substantial and effective.

On economic cooperation, the Vice President wants the two-way trade to reach 2 billion USD by 2015.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung stressed the Vietnam-Laos special traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation, describing them as invaluable treasures between the two states and peoples. Both Parties and States should boost activities to educate the younger generation to maintain and promote the special solidarity in the following years and satisfy both peoples’ desire.

He praised the talks between the two countries’ vice presidents, saying that the talks are significant for strengthening cooperation between the two Parties, States in all fields and contributed to promoting fraternal solidarity between the Vietnamese and Lao people.

Praising the success of the recent official trip to Laos by Chairman Hung, Vice President Bounhang Volachith said the visit was a milestone in the history of the special ties, contributing to boosting comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

He expressed his pleasure at recent various exchanges of delegations at all levels, affirming that the activities clearly showed the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to strengthening Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation and considers them as invaluable treasures needed to be maintained and promoted by future generations, during his meeting with Vice President Bounhang Volachith.

He said the Vietnamese Government will continue implementing cooperation agreements reached by both countries’ senior leaders.

He urged both sides to increase high-level visits and contacts and boost cooperation in all areas between the two countries.

Bounhang Volachith said that two countries need to continue prioritising and promoting economic cooperation, trade and investment as well as accelerating the implementation of cooperative activities on education, health care, tourism and culture.

He affirmed that Laos will continue creating favourable for Vietnamese businesses to conduct long-term investment and business in Laos .

Also the same day, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung hosted a banquet in honour of Vice President Bounhang Volachith and the high-level Lao delegation.-VNA