President receives Lao Vice President

Hanoi (VNA) – The ongoing official visit to Vietnam by Lao Vice President Phankham Viphavanh will actively contribute to reinforcing and developing the special rapport and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, President Tran Dai Quang said at a reception for the guest in Hanoi on July 12.

The President hailed the outcomes of the talks between Phankham Viphavanh and Politburo member and standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Dinh The Huynh and Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh.

He suggested the two countries work together to successfully implement the bilateral cooperation agreement for 2016-2020 and the collaboration plan between the Vietnamese and Lao governments in 2016.

Both nations should continue to carry out effectively agreements reached at the annual meeting of senior officials from the two Politburos in December 2015, as well as the outcomes of the 38th session of the intergovernmental committee on Vietnam-Laos bilateral cooperation and visits by their top leaders, he said.

President Quang urged the two sides to realise the protocol on defence and security collaboration for 2016-2020 and the bilateral border trade agreement, while promoting energy and transport connectivity.

Vietnam and Laos are also expected to jointly hold numerous activities to celebrate the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and 40 years of the signing of the Vietnam – Laos Amity and Cooperation Treaty, he added.

The State leader congratulated the Lao Party, State and people on their achievements over the past number of years, saying he believes Laos will successfully implement the Resolution adopted at the 10 th National Party Congress and the 8 th five-year social-economic development plan.

He took this occasion to thank Laos for valuable support to Vietnam in the past and at present, confirming that the Vietnamese Party, State and people will always attach much importance to preserving and cementing the special relations with Laos.

President Tran Dai Quang highly valued the active contributions of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, and Phankham Viphavanh in particular as former Chairman of the association, to encouraging Lao people to embrace relations with Vietnam.

For his part, Phankham Viphavanh, who is also Politburo member and standing member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, applauded cooperation achievements between the two nations in the past, saying that they have contributed significantly to the national construction and development of the Lao people.

He confirmed to do his utmost in his new positions to tighten the special amity and solidarity between the two countries for the sake of their people.-VNA