The historic visit to the US by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong grabbed the headlines in major Lao newspapers on July 8 and 9.

“Setthakith Sangkhom” (Socio-Economy) – a supplement of the “Pasaxon” (People) newspaper – on July 8 reserved an entire page for photos about milestones in the Vietnam-US relations along with a detailed story about the importance of the visit and spheres of cooperation between the two countries since they normalised their ties in 1995.

It wrote that 2015 is a remarkable milestone in bilateral relations as it marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the US’s presence in South Vietnam and 20 years of their relationship normalisation, offering a chance for the countries to enhance their linkages.

The story also reviewed the development of the Vietnam-US relations through high-ranking visits and their collaboration at international forums, stressing that they have become friends and relations are being strengthened substantively.

The July 8 and 9 issues of the “Lao Phatthana” (Lao Development) newspaper said Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s historic visit to the US would help deepen mutual understanding and trust and bring bilateral relations to a new level.

In its story, the “Pathet Lao” (Lao Nation) also wrote that the visit illustrated the increasingly intensified relations between Vietnam and the US, adding that the latter valued the Southeast Asian country’s crucial role in the Asian-Pacific region and they were cooperating effectively in various fields.

The English version of the Lao News Agency (KPL) on July 9 posted the Vietnam – US Joint Vision Statement, noting that attained achievements were the result of their constructive efforts to overcome the past, deal with differences, and promote shared interests towards the future.

Lao newspapers also covered the Vietnamese leader’s activities in the US such as his talks with President Barack Obama at the Oval Office, his attendance to the reception of the first Boeing 787-9, and the signing of cooperation documents.

On July 9, the “Vientiane May” (New Vientiane) said during the talks, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Obama agreed to work towards the sustainable, efficient and mutually beneficiary comprehensive partnership for the sake of their countries and the regional and global peace, stability and development.-VNA