General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone paid a working visit, with his entourage, to the northern province of Hoa Binh on December 27.

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Hoang Viet Cuong, briefed the Lao guests on the province’s 2012 socio-economic performance as well as its friendship and cooperation with Lao localities, especially Luang Prabang province.

Sayasone congratulated Hoa Binh on its comprehensive socio-economic development achievements and expressed his wish that the province will harvest greater successes in the future.

He extended his special thanks to the provincial Party Committee, authorities and people for protecting and preserving a historic relic in Cham Mat, Hoa Binh town where the preparatory meeting for the 2 nd Congress of the Lao People’s Party (former name of LPRP) took place 40 years ago.

He also thanked war veterans and the families of those that fought in Laos for their sacrifice to the country during the resistance wars against France and the US .

On the occasion, the Lao leader presented a gift of 100,000 USD to the province.

Later that day, the Lao delegation visited the headquarters of the provincial Military Command where the preparatory meeting for the 2nd Congress of the Lao People’s Party took place.

Also on December 27, with authorisation from the Lao President and Prime Minister, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Songsy Sengmany, presented the Friendship Order to one department and three individuals of Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Friendship Medal to three other individuals at the school for their contributions to the construction of facilities and curricula at Vientiane University of Technology.-VNA