President Luong Cuong arrives in Vientiane, begins visit to Laos

Accompanying the President were Politburo members: Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien; Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang; Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang.

Also participating in the delegation were: Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court Le Minh Tri; Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son; Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh; Head of the Office of the President Le Khanh Hai; Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong; Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam.

Welcoming President Luong Cuong at Wattay airport were: Head of the Lao President's Office Khemmani Pholsena; Mayor of Vientiane Atsaphangthong Siphandone; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos; Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh; and a number of leaders of units of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President Luong Cuong arrives at Wattay International Airport, Vientiane Capital. Photo: VNA

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang has just said that this is the first State visit of President Luong Cuong, demonstrating Vietnam's respect and high priority for Laos.

The visit took place in the context of extremely good relations between the two countries; increasingly trustworthy and close political relations; defense and security cooperation continued to be maintained and developed; economic and investment cooperation made much progress, with 2024 marking a total two-way turnover of 2.2 billion USD (up 34% compared to 2023), and the first 3 months of this year reaching nearly 1 billion USD (up more than 100% compared to the same period in 2024).

The spokesman said that the President is expected to hold talks and meetings with the General Secretary and President of Laos; the Prime Minister of Laos; the Chairman of the Lao National Assembly and a number of former high-ranking Lao leaders. The President will attend the program "Meeting and exchanging between Vietnam and Laos: deeper love than the Mekong River"...

Top priority is given to preserving and developing the special relationship.

Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh said that visits by high-ranking delegations of the two countries are traditional activities, aiming to continue to strengthen and build the great friendship and special solidarity between the two countries to become increasingly closer.

This is an opportunity for senior leaders of the two countries to discuss policies and measures to build understanding and promote comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in an increasingly concrete and effective manner for the benefit of the two peoples, as well as support each other at many regional and international forums.

No matter how complicated the regional and international situation is, with both opportunities and challenges, Laos and Vietnam still give top priority to preserving and developing the special relationship that the two countries consider a precious heritage for future generations.

Photo: VNA

The Lao Ambassador emphasized that President Luong Cuong's visit is a continuation of the great friendship and special solidarity between the two Parties, States and peoples of Laos and Vietnam, as well as continuing to enrich and foster the affection and closeness between the two countries' senior leaders.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam said that President Luong Cuong visited Laos in the atmosphere of the Lao people celebrating the traditional New Year (Bunpimay) and are excited in the first days of the Buddhist New Year 2568 with many new expectations. This will be a specific activity to increase the special closeness and affection between the high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and two countries.

The visit brought to the Lao Party, State and people the deep and close comradely sentiments of the Party, State and people of Vietnam as well as the heroic spirit of celebrating the 50th anniversary of national reunification. This is truly an activity that deeply demonstrates the special traditional relationship between the two peoples of Vietnam and Laos and is unique in the world.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-den-vientiane-bat-dau-tham-lao-2394576.html