State President Nguyen Minh Triet met visiting Laotian Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong in Hanoi on March 1.

The Vietnamese State leader said that the visit underlines the special ties between the Parties, States and people of Vietnam and Laos.

He expressed his pleasure to see the development of Vietnam-Laos relations, which have been deepened and become more effective and practical.

President Triet confirmed that the special ties between the two countries were invaluable and have been built upon by the lives of peoples from both sides. Vietnam always attaches importance to and will do its utmost to develop those relations.

The State leader also welcomed the important achievements made by the Laotian Party, State and people in the country’s renewal process and development, saying he believed that the Laotian people would continue to achieve more and turn Laos into a peaceful, independent, democratic and prosperous country.

He also took this occasion to wish Laos success as it organises its ninth National Party Congress and the seventh National Assembly election.

Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong stressed that the visit, his first overseas one as Laos government leader, was an opportunity to bolster the friendship and close relations held between the two Parties, States and people, which were founded by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane.

He also informed President Triet about Laos’ preparations for its ninth National Party Congress and the seventh National Assembly election as well as the results of his talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung.

PM Thongsing Thammavong also expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, State and people’s assistance to Laos revolutionary cause and said that the Laotian Party, State and people would do their utmost, together with Vietnam, to foster the consolidation and development of their special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos./.