Vietnam and Laos have treasured the long-standing and special relationship – an invaluable asset as affirmed by late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and late Lao President Kaysone Phomvihan. It is special because both countries lean against the Truong Son Mountain Range and share the water resources of the Mekong River. Since the Communist Party of Indochina was established in 1930, the Vietnamese and Lao nations have shared common lofty ideals and strength in the struggle for national liberation – an important factor for ensuring the victory of the revolution in each country. It is special because the two countries had had a close connection before they established their diplomatic ties on September 5, 1962. So the establishment of their diplomatic ties as well as their whole course of history helped to open up a new stage of development in bilateral ties and foster close links between two nations.

Thirty years ago today (July 18), the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty was signed, creating a firm political and legal foundation for further promoting the revolutionary cause of each country as well as cementing the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

Over the past three decades, the treaty has made substantial contributions to the process of national construction and development in each country. Particularly, Laos has made significant achievements in the past 20 years of implementing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process. Its national independence, sovereignty and political and social stability have been maintained while national defence and security have been strengthened. Economically, in the past five consecutive years, Laos has secured a rather high annual GDP growth rate of more than 7 percent. Its role and position has been continuously elevated in the regional and international arena.

By implementing the Renewal process initiated and led by the Communist Party of Vietnam over the past two decades, the country has maintained socio-political stability and achieved an annual GDP growth rate of nearly 8 percent.

Together with those significant achievements, the special cooperative relations between Vietnam and Laos have also developed in all fields, particularly economics. Two-way trade value fetched US$260 million in 2006, double the 1990 figure.

Amidst the opportunities and challenges of the current context, the Party, State and people of Vietnam have given high priority to developing ties with Laos. Vice President of Laos Bounnhang Volachit has also affirmed Laos’ determination to maintain the special relationship with Vietnam, considering it an invaluable asset for the two countries’ future generations.

If the establishment of diplomatic ties has cemented the destinies of the two nations, the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty has been giving fresh impetus to maintaining and developing their time-honoured friendship to a new level, making the two milestones unforgettable in the mind of the two countries’ people.