(VOVWORLD) - President Nguyen Xuan Phuc begins an official friendly visit to Laos on Monday to cement bilateral ties. The visit reflects the two countries’ unity and determination to work together to overcome difficulties and grow amid complications around the world, particularly the spreading COVID-19 pandemic.
 A state welcome for President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his wife (photo: VOV) |
President Phuc’s visit to Laos is his first trip abroad since he became the Vietnamese President and soon after Lao Party leader and President Thongloun Sisoulith’s visit to Vietnam in June. The visits are of special importance, demonstrating the two countries’ consistent foreign policy and respect for maintaining and developing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
Special faithfulness
The brotherhood between the neighbor countries has been nurtured and developed over thousands of years. Since Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane laid a new foundation for special bilateral ties 8 decades ago, generations of Vietnamese leaders and citizens have strengthened the fine relationship and faithfulness between the two Parties, States, and peoples.
During the 59 years since diplomatic ties were set up, and the 44 years since the Treaty of Amity, Friendship, and Cooperation was signed, bilateral relations have been consolidated and heightened, helping the two countries grow steadily and gain significant socio-economic and diplomatic achievements.
 Lao Party leader and President Thongloun Sisoulith invites President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to review guard of honor (Photo: VOV) |
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders of the two countries have had regular contact, expanded political cooperation, and enhanced mutual trust. Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang underlined the significance of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Laos.
'The visit is of great importance to maintaining the fine tradition of the special Laos-Vietnam ties and paving the way for stronger ties between the Lao and Vietnamese Parties, States, and peoples. It will intensify the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. The visit is evidence that amid unprecedented, complicated developments regionally and globally, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have maintained exchanges between high-ranking Party and State leaders. This demonstrates our solidarity in overcoming difficulties to promote the happiness of the Lao and Vietnamese peoples,' said the Ambassador..
 Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang (Photo: MoIT) |
Closer bilateral ties
During the visit, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will hold talks with Party leader and President Thongloun Sisoulith and meet with other high-ranking leaders of Laos. Mr. Phuc will also attend the handover ceremony of the Lao Parliament House, a gift from Vietnam and a symbol of the special bilateral ties.
Ambassador Sengphet Houngboungnuang said, 'Amid unprecedented, complicated developments around the world, more than ever, the two Parties, States, and peoples need to strengthen cooperation and work closely together, promote our special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and mutual assistance, and continue our revolutionary causes toward the goal of socialism.'
Following Party leader and President Thongloun Sisoulith’s visit to Vietnam in June, President Phuc’s visit to Laos reaffirms the special ties between the two Parties, States, and peoples.