(VOVworld) - The Vietnam – Lao Solidarity and Friendship Year concluded successfully after Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and Lao Secretary General and President Choummaly Sayasone released a joint-statement at a press conference in Hanoi on December 26th. 2012 saw an array of meaningful events with the participation of all ministries, sectors, and people of the two countries, which have reinforced the Vietnam – Lao traditional and loyal friendship.
President Ho Chi Minh met President Kyason Phonvihan in February, 1966 |
This year, Vietnam and Laos celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and 35 years of implementing the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty. The two countries have accelerated cooperation in politics, economics, culture, and society.
Besides reciprocal visits by senior leaders, the two countries co-organized numerous activities including national meetings to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in the capital of each country, the third Vietnamese - Lao Friendship Festival in Vietnam, and a meeting to honor the history of the two countries’ relations in Laos’ Savanakhet province. A contest on the Vietnam – Lao Solidarity and Friendship Year attracted millions of Vietnamese and Lao people. Vietnam had 3 million entries covering efforts of the two peoples to preserve and promote their traditional friendship, special unity, and comprehensive cooperation.
Vietnam and Laos have been proactive in boosting economic cooperation by organizing trade fairs, conferences, trade promotion forums, investment, and tourism exchanges. Some economic and cultural projects were put into operation including the Ho Chi Minh commemorative complex in Khammoune, and the Savanakhet Cultural Center. Two-way trade has reached 1 billion USD. Vietnam has 440 projects in Laos with a total capital of over 5 billion USD, making it one of the biggest among 58 foreign investors in Laos.
Laos sent 6,500 officials to study in Vietnam and 500 Vietnamese students and officials were trained in Laos.
The Vietnam – Lao Solidarity and Friendship Year marked an impressive milestone in the two countries’ relationship. Lao General Secretary and President Choummaly Sayasone said: “The Vietnam – Lao relationship has stood out in the international arena in the new period. Our two countries will develop together. We share a border and our traditional relationship was built and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kyason Phonvihan.”
The fruitful results of the Vietnam – Lao Solidarity and Friendship Year will be a driving force to make the special relationship between the two Parties, States, and people flourish as what Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong underlined at the meeting to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. “More than ever, we have to strengthen the special unity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, considering it a vital factor and deep sentiment which will never change in any difficult circumstance. We pledge to protect the special Vietnam – Lao relationship as we would protect our eyes and work with the Lao Party, State, and people to deepen our relationship, considering it an invaluable treasure for our future generation,” Trong said.
The Vietnam – Lao Friendship Year has consolidated the traditional relationship and made it a special relation in the world’s contemporary history, a priceless property of the two nations, and a decisive factor to ensure the success of the two nations’ development and defense.
Hong Van