Vietnam-Laos relationship an invaluable treasure

Source: NA chairman Nguyen Phu Trong

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The joint statement, which was released at the end of the three-day visit to Laos by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, noted that the Party, state and people of Vietnam and Laos affirmed the importance, strategic significance, as well as determination to maintain and promote the bilateral traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation in the new stage.

Party General Secretary Trong’s visit to Laos from June 20-22 was made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and State President Choummaly Sayasone.

The two Party leaders held talks, discussing in depth the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation along with regional and international issues of common concern.

Trong, who is also Chairman of the National Assembly, met with President of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathortou, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Permanent Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Tong Yeutho.

He also met with former LPRP General Secretary and State President Khamtay Siphandone and attended and delivered a speech at the first session of the Lao National Assembly (tenure VII).

The two sides noted they were pleased and proud that along with the two peoples’ great achievements, the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, closeness and trust between the Vietnamese and Lao Parties, states and peoples, which were fostered by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane and unceasingly consolidated and developed by succeeding leaders and peoples, have been deepened and gained important outcomes in all spheres.

Both sides reiterated the importance, strategic significance and resolve to forever preserve and promote their traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in the new circumstance, considering this as the rule of development, an important element to ensure the victory of each country’s revolutionary cause, and an invaluable treasure of both Parties and peoples to the younger generations.

They agreed to boost bilateral comprehensive cooperation on the basis of promoting the spirit of independence, self-reliance, equal cooperation and mutual benefit and adequately associating the special characteristic of Vietnam-Laos special ties with international norms, for the thriving development of each country, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and the world.

The two sides also agreed to conduct more meetings and contacts between senior Party and state leaders, and bring into play the role of existing cooperation mechanisms between the two Parties and states.

The two sides reached consensus on taking 2012 as the “Year of Vietnam-Laos friendship and solidarity” and on jointly organising celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties and the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

The two sides agreed to expand and enhance the efficiency and quality of economic cooperation in a comprehensive manner by fully tapping each country’s potential and strengths, striving for two-way trade turnover of $2 billion by 2015.

The two sides also unanimously agreed on measures to boost cooperation in defence and security and maintain political stability and security in each country, as well as the two countries.

They agreed upon coordination in preventing and fighting organised crimes and cross-border crimes while continuing cooperating in searching and repatriating remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives in Laos .

The two sides acceded to complete the thickening and upgrade of a system of national land border markers by 2014 and continue building the Vietnam-Laos border of peace, friendship, cooperation, comprehensive development, and long lasting sustainability.

The two sides compared notes and reached agreement on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

They affirmed that they would continue increasing the exchange of information and coordination at multilateral forums, especially in the ASEAN cooperation framework and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, meeting the two peoples’ interests, to contribute actively to building a strong ASEAN Community, and maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The two sides also affirmed to work with Cambodia in implementing effectively the agreement on the Development Triangle of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam reached by the three prime ministers.

Vietnam supported Laos in its bid to early join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and host the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in 2012 and other international events.

The two sides agreed to boost cooperation in preserving, protecting and using water sources of the Mekong River with respect to environmental production and sustainable development.

Both sides affirmed a desire to work together with parties concerned to the East Sea issue to solve the matter by peaceful measures and in line with international laws, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), in order to maintain peace, stability and cooperation in the region.

They highly valued the fruitful results and profound significance of the official friendly visit to Laos by Party General Secretary and National Assembly Chairman of Nguyen Phu Trong.

They underscored that the visit contributed to lifting the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation to a new height of development.