Consolidate the special, loyal and pure relationship between the two Parties, States and peoples

On Aug 8^th, the solemn state ceremony to welcome the high- ranking delegation led by visiting Lao Party General Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone took place in Hanoi .

After the ceremony Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and visiting Lao Party General Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone held talks in Ha Noi yesterday.

Comrade Trong highlighted the significance of the friendly visit to Vietnam by comrade Choummaly and his wife and entourage, the first to a foreign country since he held the post of Lao Party General Secretary and State President.

The Lao leader's selection of Viet Nam as the first nation to visit after being re-elected as Party General Secretary and State President was symbolized the traditional friendship and "special, loyal and pure solidarity" between the two Parties, States and peoples, the Vietnamese Party chief said.

The two Vietnamese and Lao leaders said the Parties and peoples of both countries would make every effort to nurture their special relationship so that it would be long-lasting and transferable to future generations.

They also agreed to step up the exchange of information and experiences, especially in theoretical and practical matters regarding Party building and national industrialisation and modernization.

The Vietnam leader said the visit elevated relations and actively contributed to peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world.

Lao Party General Secretary and President Choummaly Sayasone expressed his admiration for the significant achievements recorded by the Vietnamese people.

Both leaders discussed measures to implement agreements between the two Parties and countries and the results of a recent visit to Laos by Vietnam Party General Secretary Trong and the current Viet Nam visit by the Lao leader.

They also emphasized the need to closely co-ordinate the content and programme for "Friendship and Solidarity Year 2012".

The two sides discussed in-depth orientations, measures to develop relations between the two Parties and States, as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern.

Comrade Trong hailed the achievements recorded by the Lao people in national construction and defense and said it confirmed they resulted from the Lao Party's sound policy and the endeavor of the entire Lao people.

Leaders from Viet Nam 's State, National Assembly and Government met separately yesterday with visiting Lao Party General Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone.

President Truong Tan Sang described the Lao leader's choice of Viet Nam for his first foreign trip in his new term of office as manifestation of the traditional friendship and special, close and faithful solidarity between the two Parties, States and peoples of Viet Nam and Laos .

He also stressed the significance of the special ties for the present - and the future of both countries.

In 2012, Viet Nam and Laos would celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the 35th anniversary of the signing of a Treaty on Friendship and Co-operation, President Sang said.

He said this would be an opportunity for both countries to educate cadres and people, especially youth, about increasing the special solidarity between the two Parties, States and people.

He added that Viet Nam would closely co-ordinate with Laos and support it in organising the ninth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in 2012.

Comrade Choummaly said the Lao Party, State and people would spare no effort to join their Vietnamese counterparts to lift the friendship to a new height.

He then invited President Sang to pay an official friendly visit to Laos .

On the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung separately met with President Choummaly Sayasone.