Party chief’s Laos visit to lift bilateral relations: official

Discussing the visit, Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan told the press that this will be the first overseas trip by the Party chief since his reelection at the 12th Party Congress. 

According to Quan, the trip will be made at a time when the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary party have entered a new term of office after their respective Party Congresses earlier this year.

It will allow the two countries’ leaders to discuss cooperative orientations for the tenure and to define cooperation priorities, he said.

During his tour, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will hold talks with Lao Party General Secretary and President Bunnhang Volachit and meet other leaders and former leaders of Laos. 

On the occasion, various cooperation agreements between the two Parties and States will be signed, Quan said.

The Vietnamese Party chief will also meet lecturers and students of the National University of Laos – a scientific research and human resources training centre of the country. 

Quan, during the interview, highlighted the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and Vietnam’s priorities in its policies towards Laos. 

The Vietnam-Laos relationship is a valuable asset for both nations, Quan said, adding that it also plays a key role in national construction and defence in each country, contributing to peace and development in Southeast Asia and the world. 

Vietnam-Laos political relations have flourished in recent times thanks to regular meetings and visits of their leaders. Meanwhile, links in security-defence and diplomacy have became more effective, contributing to ensuring security and social order in each country. 

Personnel training is a top priority of cooperation between the two Parties and States. The two countries signed many agreements on education and training. 

Links in economy have also recorded fruitful development as the two countries have paid more attention to enhancing coordination to promote trade and investment connection. 

Affiliation between Party committees, ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries has also been expanded, Quan said.