A grand meeting was held in Hanoi on July 18 to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Laotian diplomatic ties and the 35 years since the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty between both countries.

The event was attended by Vietnam ’s top leaders, including Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

Representing Laos were Vice President Bounhang Volachith and a high-ranking delegation from the Lao Party and State.

The meeting began with a concert including songs in praise of President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos .

Addressing the event, Trong highlighted the time-honoured close relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

The Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation have become an invaluable asset for both nations and an extremely important factor that ensured the success of each country’s revolution, he said.

That relationship has been fostered by the sweat, blood and tears of many generations of Vietnamese and Laotian revolutionaries over the past years, he added.

According to the Party leader, Vietnam and Laos are stepping into a new period of renewal and international integration.

More than ever, both Parties, States and peoples should continue to consolidate and strengthen the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, which needs to be preserved and protected, stressed Trong.

For his part, Volachith stated that the Lao Party, State and people will do their utmost to preserve and protect the special friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

Despite all the changes in a fast changing world, the faithful and close relationship between Vietnam and Laos will be promoted forever and passed down from generation to generation, he said.

He said he believed that the bilateral comprehensive cooperation will continue to yield benefits in the future, contributing to consolidating regional and international peace, friendship, cooperation and integration.-VNA