(VOVworld) - Vietnam and Lao will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties on Sep 5th. Over the years, loyal, friendly relations have been continuously fostered and developed. Here are excerpts of President Truong Tan Sang’s interview with the press about the Vietnam – Lao special relationship.
President Sang said the relationship is exemplary, faithful, durable and rare among international relations. World history has seen many different coalitions and alliances, but the Vietnam – Lao relationship is a sincere bond, always consistent, which has been challenged and enhanced through various hardships. It has become a treasure of both nations and a core element of each nation’s revolutionary cause. Without the special Vietnam - Lao military alliance, the two countries could scarcely have gained victory in their struggle for national liberation or the remarkable achievements of their reform process.
Reviewing major milestones in the Vietnam – Lao relationship over the last 50 years, President Sang said that during the fight against their common adversary, the two countries stood shoulder to shoulder and sacrificed their blood for ultimate victory. Between 1961 and 1975, the two countries united to fight for national independence and freedom. Reaching political and military consensus, the Vietnam Labor Party and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party advocated independence and socialism to lead their revolutions to success.
From 1975 to the present, Vietnam – Lao relations have evolved a comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and the two States for independence, sovereignty, and mutual prosperity. In addition to a fine political and national security relationship, the two nations have exerted efforts to promote economic and trade ties. On July 18, 1977, the two countries signed a Friendship and Cooperation Treaty and a Border Delimitation Treaty. Since the 4th Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, both countries have accelerated reforms and international integration.
Over the past 50 years, especially the 35 years of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries have become ever closer and more widely developed in all areas, including politics, diplomacy, defense-security, education-training, economics, trade, investment, and science-technology.
President Sang expressed his pleasure at the significant development of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly in trade and investment.
Currently, Vietnamese businesses are operating 435 projects in Laos with a total capital of over 5.2 billion USD, making Vietnam one of the biggest investors in Laos. The two countries are striving to raise two-way trade turnover to 1 billion USD in 2012 and 2 billion USD in 2015.
Leaders of the two countries have named this year the Vietnam – Lao Friendship and Solidarity Year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and 35 years of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.
Regarding the future of Vietnam – Lao relations, President Sang expressed his belief that the two countries will further consolidate and develop their traditional friendship to serve their people’s aspiration of building Vietnam into a strong country with wealthy people and a democratic, just and civilised society and building Laos into a peaceful, independent, democratic, united and prosperous nation, thus making positive contributions to boosting peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and in the world.
President Sang also believes that future generations will follow their predecessors in preserving the Vietnam – Lao friendship forever.