The Lao Government has presented the Friendship Medal and a certificate of merit to Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva, in recognition of the Vietnamese mission’s support for Laos’ bid to join the WTO.

The awards were presented by Lao Ambassador to Geneva Thongphane Savanphet during a ceremony on December 5.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Thanh described the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos as an invaluable treasure that will be further promoted by both countries’ missions in Geneva .

Speaking with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent after the ceremony, Thongphane Savanphet affirmed the mutual trust and all-round ties between Vietnam and Laos are benefiting the two peoples.

Since Laos officially joined the WTO one year ago, collaboration between the two missions has flourished, with stronger mutual support at international forums, he noted.

The Lao mission has learnt much from its Vietnamese counterpart, he said, expressing hope for the continued exchange of ideas and information for mutual progress.

The WTO membership has paved the way for Laos to fulfil its Millennium Development Goals and maintain a stable economic growth, he added.-VNA