Lao leaders hail visit of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc

Vientiane (VNA) – Party and State leaders of Laos have welcomed the on-going visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc saying that it will significantly contribute to the growth of the Vietnam-Laos ties, especially when the two countries celebrate the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017.

Following his talks with Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on April 26, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Bounnhang Volachith, National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathoutu, and standing member of the LPRP Secretariat and Vice President Phankham Viphavan.

LPRP General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith lauded the fruitful outcomes of the talks between the two Prime Ministers, suggesting that they direct ministries and sectors to effectively implement high-level agreements and the results of the 39th meetings of the Inter-Governmental Committee on bilateral cooperation.

The Lao leaders expressed their delight at the strong development of the partnership between the two countries across the fields including politics, defence, security, economy, education, and culture-society, thus benefiting both peoples.

PM Phuc affirmed to his hosts that the Party, State, Government and people of Vietnam give the top priority to the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, considering the ties as a priceless treasure and a vital factor of the revolutionary causes of both nations.

The same day, PM Phuc also met with a delegation from the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association led by President of its Central Committee Vilayvong Butdakham.

Phuc praised the effective operation of the association over the past year, which has contributed to the development of the friendship between the two countries.

He also expressed hope that the association will continue designing diverse activities to boost bilateral ties, especially in the context that the two sides are celebrating the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and 40 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation in 2017.

For his part, Vilayvong Butdakham said that the association will coordinate closely with relevant agencies of both sides during the organizations of these events.

He noted that the association and its Vietnamese counterpart are working together to publish a magazine entitled “Sharing Truong Son Range”.

The association will also invite Vietnamese delegations to Laos to attend ceremonies to marks the special anniversaries.-VNA