lao pres visits vietnam 14mai2
Lao president's visit raises bilateral friendship
to new heights
The visit is of great significance, taking place when the entire Vietnamese Party, people and army are jubilantly preparing for the 11th National Assembly Elections, the first legislature in the 21st century. The visit by the top Lao Party and State leader brings to the Vietnamese people the finest sentiments of the Lao people and a great source of encouragement, which has accompanied the two nations through history. Following the exchange of visits by Vietnam’s Party leader Nong Duc Manh and Lao Prime Minister Bounhan Vorachit last July, the current visit by President Khamtay Siphandone bears eloquent proof of the close ties between the two Parties, States and peoples which is a decisive factor for national construction and defence of their respective countries.
Vietnam welcomes the visit by President Khamtay Siphandone and the great achievements obtained by the Lao people in their national construction and defence along the path of reform under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.
Over the past 15 years, Laos has obtained an average annual growth rate of 6.4% by fully tapping its abundant natural resources in forestry, agriculture and minerals as well as hydro power. Despite repeated natural calamities and adverse impacts of the Asian financial and monetary crisis, Laos has continued to boost agricultural production and become self-sufficient in food. Last year, Laos attracted nearly US $400 million worth of loans and grants and obtained an import-export turnover of more than US $850 million, a year-on-year increase. Lao tribal population’s lives have gradually improved with politics, security and social order guaranteed. The successful outcome of the fifth National Assembly election last February has laid a firm foundation for the Lao people to fulfil objectives set for the next five years which target a 7% economic growth rate, a reduction by half of the number of poor households. The country is striving to escape underdevelopment and triple per capita income by 2020.
The special friendship and solidarity between Laos and Vietnam have stood the test of time and treasured in the past seven decades. These precious ties have entered a new stage of development since 1975 when Democratic People’s Republic of Laos was established. The ten-point joint statement released on the occasion of the visit to Laos by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh has asserted the determination of the two nations’ leadership and peoples to forge comprehensive ties on the basis of national independence, self-determination, self-reliance, mutually beneficial co-operation and increased quality and efficiency of co-operation. This will motive the respective nations in their national construction and defence in the 21st century. General orientations stipulated in the joint statement have breathed a new life to bilateral comprehensive ties in the interest of both nations.
Recent years have seen vigorous growth in bilateral ties in economy, culture, science, technology and others to match their political relationship. Vietnam is active in its assistance to Laos in training, education, agriculture, water management, construction, transportation, and health care. Vietnam has invested in trade, import-export, construction materials, garments and textiles, and ranks 14th among Laos’ 36 investment partners. In the past decade, the joint government committee on economic, cultural, scientific and technological co-operation has signed dozens of co-operative agreements for medium and long-terms and its effectiveness was reasserted at the recent 24th session of the joint committee.
As ASEAN members, Vietnam and Laos seek to broaden their ties with regional countries, first of all neighbouring Cambodia, and raise quality and efficiency in co-operation within ASEAN as well as other regional and international organisations and forums.
The two countries are making preparations for the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the 25th anniversary of the Friendship and Co-operation Agreement later this year. Vietnam wishes President Khamtay Siphandone’s visit a great success and pledges to do everything possible to nurture the already fine relationship for the noble goals of each nation. This can only contribute to peace, stability, co-operation and development in Southeast Asia and the rest of the world.
NHAN DAN