Vientiane (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong paid a courtesy call to Vilay Lakhamphong, member of the Politburo and standing member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), in Vientiane on January 14 to discuss ways to foster ties between the two nations.
Cuong, who is also member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and standing Vice Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), congratulated Laos on the success of the LPRP’s 12th National Congress, and extended congratulations to Vilay on his re-election to the LPRP’s Central Committee and Politburo, as well as his appointment as standing member of the Secretariat for the 12th term, saying that such reflects the Party’s recognition of Vilay’s leadership capacity, prestige and important contributions.
Cuong also conveyed regards from Politburo member and permanent member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu to Vilay.
Vilay, for his part, praised the outcomes of the Vietnamese delegation’s working session with the LPRP Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations. He expressed thanks to high-ranking Vietnamese leaders for their prompt congratulations on his new appointment, and conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their consistent support for Laos’s cause of national construction, defence and development.
On the occasion, he also congratulated Vietnam on its major achievements of historical significance over more than four decades of reforms under the CPV’s sound leadership.
Regardless of rapid and complex changes in global and regional landscapes, Vietnam and Laos will maintain close coordination to further consolidate and preserve their rare relationship of special solidarity and trust, he said, adding that this will further deepen strategic connectivity for the long-term benefit of their people, aligned with each country’s long-term strategic vision and interests in the new context.
Briefing the host on the results of his working session with the commission, Cuong reported substantive discussions and broad consensus on coordinating the realisation of high-level agreements between the two Parties and countries. This includes upcoming high-level external activities to nurture the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic connectivity between Vietnam and Laos.
The guest also provided updates on preparations for the 14th National Congress of the CPV scheduled for January 19-25 in Hanoi.
On the same day, Cuong paid a courtesy call to Bunleua Phandanouvong, head of the commission, and held a working session with its deputy head Valaxay Lengsavat. The discussions centred on advancing the realisation of high-level agreements between the two Parties and countries, and future cooperation between the MoFA’s Party Committee and the Lao commission as well./.
