On Aug 8th, 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

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
The Lao leader's selection of
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
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
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
President Truong Tan Sang described the Lao leader's choice of
He also stressed the significance of the special ties for the present - and the future of both countries.
In 2012,
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
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
On the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung separately met with President Choummaly Sayasone.