Continuing his official friendship visit to Laos, Vietnam Party General Secretary and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong delivered a speech at the first session of the seventh Lao National Assembly.  

The Party leader said that under the clear-sighted leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), Government and NA, the resolution set by the ninth Party Congress and the five-year socio-economic plan will be implemented successfully.

In the opening speech, Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong was very moved by being the first foreign leader to deliver a speech in front of the Laos NA and delegates at an important forum. He said it was a great honour for the Vietnamese Party, and State and is a vivid manifestation of the great friendship, special solidarity, loyalty and pure relationship between the two nations. Chairman Trong congratulated the success of the Laos Revolutionary People’s Party and the seventh Lao NA, which opens a new period of development in the cause of national renovation, construction and defense.

He said that Laos' renewal process will continue to gain new achievements and the country’s status will rise in the region and the world. Mr Trong added that the Lao people will build a strong, rich, harmonious, democratic, just and civilized society and continue along the right socialist path.

Mr Trong stated that Vietnam has always associated its development with the development of neighbouring countries in the region. Vietnam has expanded cooperation, become actively involved in international integration, and been a reliable partner and responsible member in the international community. It has also maintained a peaceful and favourable environment to promote the country’s industrialization and modernization and process of socio-economic development. Vietnam has also protected its national sovereignty and contributed to the people’s common struggle in the world for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.

Mr Trong emphasized that traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos was nurtured by late President Ho Chi Minh and former Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane, as wll as other leaders of both nations and as well as Vietnamese and Lao generations of heroes and martyrs.

Chairman Trong said that each victory of the Vietnamese people is closely associated with solidarity and valuable assistance from the Lao Party, State and people. He stressed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people will do their best to consolidate and develop the traditional friendship, special ties and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and consider it a strategic principle and core factor for ensuring the success of national construction and defense.

President Kaysone Phomvihane affirmed that the fraternal friendship between Laos and Vietnam has been as durable as that between a mountain and a river. Both nations will fight for each other’s national independence, and freedom for each nation. He said that both nations will strive to create happiness and prosperity which will contribute to consolidating peace, stability, cooperation and development in South East Asia and the world.

Party leader Trong said that during the talks among high-level delegations from Laos and Vietnam, Vietnam was very pleased with the achievements of both Parties and people and the strong development of the Vietnam-Laos relationship in the past. Both countries are fully aware of their responsibilities and determined to strengthen and develop the traditional and reliable friendship between both countries in the future. It is no exaggeration to say that friendship between Vietnam and Laos is higher than a mountain, longer than a river, larger than the sea, brighter than the full moon and more fragrant than flowers as late President Xuphanuvong once said.

Mr Trong confirmed that both Parties, States and peoples will make concerted efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of cooperation in all fields. He said that both nations attach importance to developing education and training human resources and prioritizing major construction works to link the economies of both nations to the region and the world.

He also said both nations will complete the project to upgrade the national border markers by 2014 and continue to create Vietnam-Laos border route for peace, friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and sustainable development. He said that both nations will implement a project to compile the “History of Laos-Vietnam Special Relations” so that all the people of both nations will understand about the pure and deep relationship between the two countries.

Mr Trong affirmed that Vietnam will support Laos in joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and hosting the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) by 2012. He said that high-level leaders from both nations agreed to choose 2012 as the yar of friendship between Vietnam and Laos to mark the 50^th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the 35^th anniversary of the signing of a convention on friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Chairman Trong expressed his belief that the fine results of the official visit to Laos will raise the Vietnam-Laos relationship to a higher level. For his part, Laos National Assembly Chairman Pany Yathortour confirmed that the Lao NA appreciated the fine sentiments of NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong towards the Lao NA. He affirmed that the Lao NA will do its best to consolidate, and strengthen traditional friendship between both Parties and States and continue to promote cooperation with the Vietnamese NA in all fields.