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| Thu, May 17, 2012 |
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Strengthening and developing special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos
Updated:
11:24PM (GMT+7), Mon, February 28, 2011
Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong began his official visit to Vietnam today at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
The visit comes at a time when the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos is being consolidated and intensified, once again affirming the determination of the leaders and peoples of both countries to continue strengthening and developing their traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation.
Vietnam and Laos are neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia that share many similarities in both history and culture. The relationship between the two countries has continued through their glorious histories, and has been nurtured by the sacrifices of generations of Vietnamese and Lao heroes. It has evolved into a traditional friendly, unique, and healthy relationship. Under the leadership of both ruling Parties, the two peoples have supported each other and stood side by side to make their revolutionary causes a complete success. We treasure and take great pride in the developing relations between Vietnam and Laos that were established by the late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and the late Lao President Kaysone Phomvihan as well as generations of leaders, people and soldiers. We are determined to preserve and develop such a fine relationship and consider it a valuable asset to both nations. It is a necessary factor for the success, national construction and development of both countries. Over the past years, the two sides have maintained annual intergovernmental committee meetings and exchanges of high ranking delegations. Relations between ministries, sectors, organisations and localities in both countries have been promoted, and co-operation in security and national defence has been intensified. Both sides are determined to complete border demarcation and marker planting by 2014. Economic, cultural and educational co-operation has also gained many achievements. Two-way trade between the two countries continues to increase year by year, reaching US$490 million in 2010, 17.2% higher than 2009. Vietnam is currently one of the largest foreign investors in Laos with 252 projects capitalised at US$2.77 billion. The two countries have agreed to intensify co-operation in strategic areas of high potential such as energy, mining, industrial tree plantation and processing, transportation, telecommunications, oil and gas exploration, and aviation and tourism, with a focus on the education and training. Collaboration between localities has been promoted, particularly in border areas and major cities, to ensure border and social security, with the goal of developing peace and stability along the border between the two nations. As ASEAN member countries, Vietnam and Laos have worked closely together within the association framework towards building an ASEAN community by 2015. Both countries continue to successfully co-ordinate within other regional and international mechanisms including the Asia Europe Meeting, Mekong River Commission, UN, and the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia triangle. May Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong's visit to Vietnam be crowned with success, and contribute to enhancing and developing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and Laos for peace, stability, co-operation and development in Southeast Asia and the world. NHAN DAN
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