Lao official lauds Vietnam’s open foreign policy

Vientiane (VNA) – A Lao official has highly valued Vietnam’s open foreign policy of diversification and multilateralisation of foreign relations and being a friend of all countries as seen in its support for other countries in the COVID-19 combat.

Saykhong Saynasine, Director of the tertiary education department at the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports, granted an interview to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the national conference on foreign affairs.

The official, who is also Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association, said that facing COVID-19, Vietnam has supported Laos with medical equipment and experts to help fight against the pandemic.

Vietnam has also presented medical supplies to many other countries while it is also struggling with the spread of the disease, he said, noting that this has not only illustrated its open foreign policy of diversification and multilateralisation of foreign relations and being a friend of all countries, but also helped the country reap major successes in external relations, especially in the vaccine diplomacy.

Saykhong described Vietnam as a role model in the pandemic combat, affirming that Laos will keep coordinating closely with Vietnam in COVID-19 control and post-pandemic recovery.

Despite the complex COVID-19 situation in 2021, leaders of Laos and Vietnam have continued working together to maintain their countries’ great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, he said. He hoped that the two sides would continue coordination and mutual assistance to obtain more accomplishments in various fields.

The year 2022 will hold special importance to bilateral relations as Vietnam and Laos will mark 45 years since the signing of their Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (July 18, 1977) and 60 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962).

On behalf of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association, Saykhong pledged to intensify cooperation with the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association to help bolster people-to-people diplomacy and educate the young on the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation - a priceless heritage of the two nations./.