(VOVworld)- Bounnhang Volachith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos, began an official friendly visit to Vietnam on Monday. The visit, at the invitation of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang, is the first trip abroad by Mr. Volachith as Party General Secretary and President. The visit demonstrates the two countries’ determination to enhance bilateral friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

Bounnhang Volachith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos begins an official friendly visit to Vietnam on Monday. The visit, at the invitation of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang

Vietnam-Laos relationship strengthened

Vietnam-Laos relations have been thriving across the board. The two countries have regularly organized visits and meetings between Party and State leaders, as well as exchanges between ministries, agencies and localities. They have strengthened national defense, security and diplomatic cooperation. The two sides have worked together to implement the protocol signed between the two Ministries of  Defense and the Ministries of Public Security and an agreement on border management. They completed a project to increase and upgrade border markers, signed a protocol on the national border and border markers, and signed an agreement on land border and border gate management regulations. The two sides continue to work together to locate and repatriate the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and officials missing in Laos.

Vietnam and Laos have accelerated the implementation of a cooperative agreement signed by the two governments, signed a new bilateral trade agreement, a border trade agreement, and implemented a “One-shop-shop” mechanism at the Lao Bao-Densavanh international border gate. Vietnam’s investment in Laos has increased. Vietnam is one of the top investors in Laos with 15 hydro power projects worth 1.4 billion USD, 57 mining projects, and 18 rubber and cash crop cultivation projects. They have strengthened political cooperation which contributes to the development of training and many other sectors. Sounthone Xaynhachac is a Member of the Laos People’s Revolutionary Party’s Central Committee and head of the Party External Relations Commission: “Laos appreciates Vietnam’s assistance in human resource training. Vietnam helps Laos to train key officials for the Party, State, and government at central and local levels. The officials are a bridge connecting Vietnam and Laos”.

Enhancing bilateral ties

Bounnhan Volachit, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos is visiting Vietnam after Vietnam successfully organized its 12^th National Party Congress and Laos concluded its 10^th National Party Congress. The Lao people have completed elections for the 8^th National Assembly and Municipal and Provincial People’s Councils. At the first session of the 8^th Laos National Assembly on April 20, Volachith was elected President of Laos. Ms Sounthone Xyanhachac says: “As the Party General Secretary and President of Laos, Mr. Sounnhang Volachith selected Vietnam for his first overseas trip. This shows Laos’ respect for its relationship with Vietnam and that Laos is a strategic friend and a country that has a special friendship, a rare, and loyal relationship with Vietnam”  

During the visit, Mr. Volachith will discuss with Vietnamese leaders  ways to enhance the special traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries.