Mr. Trong was speaking at a ceremony in Hanoi to mark the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
The event was also attended by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and Bounthong Chitmany, Permanent member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Secretariat and Vice President of Laos.
Vietnam and Laos established official diplomatic relations on September 5, 1962. During their struggle for independence and freedom, their resistance war against invaders, and the cause of national construction and defense more than a decade later, the Vietnamese and Lao peoples have always stood side by side and won glorious victories toward a complete victory in 1975.
In 1977, Vietnam and Laos signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, which has become a valuable asset and a solid legal foundation for the two to constantly expand their special friendship and comprehensive cooperation.
Party leader Trong said, “Looking back at the heroic journey the two nations have made, we can be proud of the exemplary, pure, and loyal relationship between the two Parties, the two States, the two nations, and the peoples of Vietnam and Laos.”
“The special relationship built by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihan, and President Suphanuvong has been preserved and nurtured by generations of soldiers and citizens, and has become a truly unique relationship in world history.”
Party leader Trong called the solidarity, cooperation, and mutual assistance of Vietnam and Laos a vital factor for each Party and country.
Vietnam and Laos are not just neighbors, but brothers. Every victory in the past struggle for national liberation and in the current effort to build socialism and defend Vietnam is associated with the timely support and goodwill of the Party, State, and people of Laos, he noted.
"The two parties, two states and peoples of Vietnam and Laos need to unite and strengthen cooperation to overcome all difficulties together and continue steadfastly toward the goal of national independence and socialism," said Mr. Trong.
"We will do our best to protect and constantly cultivate the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. The Party, State and people of Vietnam have always strongly and comprehensively supported the renovation work of Laos. We also attach great importance to and give top priority to the special relationship of being both a comrade and a brother to Laos."
Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany expressed his deep gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, State, and people for their valuable, timely, effective help in the past, as well as in Laos’s defense and development today.
"The Lao Party, State and people have always been steadfast and consider it our responsibility to promote the tradition of great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam to bring maximum practical benefits to the people of the two countries," he said.
Vice President Chitmany said he believes that the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year will cultivate and promote the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, the two states, and the two peoples.