(VOVWORLD) - State President Vo Van Thuong will pay an official visit to Laos next Monday and Tuesday at the invitation of Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 President Vo Van Thuong. (Source: VNA) |
Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet said Vietnam and Laos are close neighbors with very special relations.
President Thuong’s visit, his first foreign trip since taking office last month, demonstrates Vietnam’s consistent policy of giving top priority to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, said Mr. Viet.
The visit also shows Vietnam’s strong and comprehensive support for Laos’ renewal process, socio-economic recovery and development, and international integration, he added.
President Thuong is scheduled to hold talks with the Lao General Secretary and President and meet the Prime Minister and National Assembly President.
Vietnam and Laos established relations in 1962. Vietnam is now the third biggest foreign investor in Laos, after China and Thailand, with nearly 220 projects worth 4.3 billion USD. Two-way trade reached nearly 1.7 billion USD last year, up more than 25%.