An art performance at the banquet (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Lao Embassy in Hanoi hosted a banquet on November 30 to mark the 40th anniversary of Laos’ National Day (December 2).
Prominent among the guests were Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat Le Hong Anh, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh.
Addressing the event, Lao Ambassador Thongsavanh Phomvihane thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their valuable support for Laos during its past struggle for national liberation as well as the present national construction and development.
He highlighted the continuous development of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in all areas over the past four decades despite the complicated and unpredictable changes in regional and international situations.
The fruitful relationship has been reflected through the regular exchange of visits at all levels between the two countries, he added.
Vietnam is among Laos’ leading partners in investment, trade, personnel training and other spheres, the diplomat noted.
In her remarks, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan lauded remarkable achievements the Lao people have recorded in national construction and defence over the past 40 years under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.
Such outcomes have helped Laos advance firmly on the path of industrialisation and modernnisation, and successfully realise its five-year development plans, she said.
The Vietnamese Vice President acknowledged Laos’ enhanced prestige and position in both regional and international arenas, noting that Laos will assume the ASEAN Chair in 2016 – the first year when the ASEAN Community is put in place.
She emphasized that the Vietnamese Party and State always give the highest priority to consolidating and enhancing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.
She wished the Lao people even greater successes in protecting and constructing a peaceful, independent, democratic, united and prosperous nation.-VNA
