Within the framework of the State visit to Vietnam, on the morning of January 27, General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith visited former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.
Former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh warmly welcomed General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, a friend, a close comrade and brother of the Party, State and people of Vietnam; highly appreciated the very special meaning of the visit when the General Secretary and President of Laos chose to visit Vietnam first right after the success of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party as well as Vietnam; happily welcomed the General Secretary and President of Laos as the first foreign head of state to visit and congratulate the success of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, opening up a new development path for each country as well as for Vietnam - Laos relations.
The visit contributes to affirming the consistent foreign policy of both countries, which is to especially value and constantly develop great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic link between Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam.
The former General Secretary deeply believes that, under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, headed by Comrade Thongloun Sisoulith, the brotherly country of Laos will continue to develop stably and sustainably, people's lives will be increasingly improved, and international positions will be constantly consolidated.
General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith expressed his emotion to meet again with former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh - a great friend, a close comrade of the Party, State and people of Laos; respectfully thanked the thoughtful, sincere, pure and effective support and assistance that the Party, State and people of Vietnam have always given to Laos in the cause of fighting for independence in the past as well as in the cause of building and developing the country today.
General Secretary and President of Laos congratulated the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam on its great success; expressed deep impression of the great and comprehensive achievements that Vietnam has achieved in the past time, affirming that those achievements are associated with the important contributions of previous generations of leaders, including former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.
General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith affirmed that this visit with the participation of many senior leaders of central ministries and branches of Laos shows the high political determination of the Lao Party and State in successfully implementing high-level resolutions and agreements with Vietnam, continuing to nurture the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and increasingly strong, effective and practical strategic ties between Vietnam and Laos.
The two sides affirmed that the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, which was painstakingly nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong, is a priceless common asset, a law of existence and development of the two nations; agreed to continue to preserve, protect and constantly deepen this special and rare relationship.
