Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam: President Luong Cuong's State visit to Laos on the occasion of Bunpimay is full of new expectations

President Luong Cuong held an online meeting with Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith on November 8, 2024. (Source: VPCTN)

At the invitation of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Luong Cuong will pay a State visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic from April 24-25. Ahead of the visit, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam shared with The Gioi Va Viet Nam Newspaper the significance and deep brotherly and comradely affection between the two countries expressed through this special event.

Ambassador, please tell us the meaning and key contents of President Luong Cuong's visit to Laos this time?

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Laos)

Following the high-level foreign affairs activities between Vietnam and Laos in recent times, this is the first state visit to Laos by Comrade Luong Cuong as President.

The visit is of great significance, one of the historical milestones in the Vietnam-Laos relationship, aiming to continue to demonstrate the consistency of the Party and State of Vietnam in always considering Laos and the Vietnam-Laos relationship as one of the top priorities in its foreign policy. This is an opportunity for the two sides to discuss the situation of each Party, each country, the world and regional situation of mutual concern; evaluate the results of cooperation between the two Parties and the two countries in recent times and discuss measures to promote the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos to develop more deeply, substantially and effectively in all fields, bringing prosperity to the people of each country, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Notably, President Luong Cuong visited Laos this time in the atmosphere where the Lao ethnic people have just celebrated 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 Vietnamese Party, State and people as well as the heroic spirit of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and 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.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van led a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to celebrate the traditional New Year (Bunpimay) of the Lao People's Democratic Republic at the Lao Embassy in Vietnam on April 2. (Photo: Thanh Long)

This year, Vietnam celebrates the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Laos celebrates the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Before this important milestone, could the Ambassador highlight the ties between the two Parties and countries, as well as the role of the two Parties in promoting the special brotherhood between Vietnam and Laos?

The relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party is a relationship of special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, as the only two parties that have played the historical role of leading the national liberation revolution and today are both ruling parties that comprehensively lead the country in a socialist orientation.

The two parties share the same origin from the Indochinese Communist Party. In response to the requirements of the revolutionary situation in the new period, on March 22, 1955, the Lao People's Party, now the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, was officially born, marking an important turning point in the history of the Lao revolution as well as the relationship between the two countries' revolutions.

Under the leadership of the great President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, beloved President Souphanouvong and the revolutionary leaders of the two countries, the two Parties closely coordinated, supported and helped each other extremely effectively in the struggles against old and new colonialism, completing the cause of national liberation and national reunification in 1975. During those difficult years, cadres, party members, soldiers and people of Vietnam and Laos stood shoulder to shoulder, sharing the good and the bad, "biting a grain of rice in half, breaking a stalk of vegetable in half", forming a deep and unshakable brotherly love between the two peoples, living and dying together.

Although the names of the two parties are different, they share the same purpose, follow the same principles and are based on the relationship between the two parties that was forged from the years of fighting together for national independence, building a free, prosperous and happy life for the people and has grown stronger as they have taken on historical roles, relying on each other to protect the newly won independence, and leading the country to develop in a socialist direction.

The relationship between the two Parties is a solid foundation for building a great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. In recent times, the two sides have closely coordinated to effectively implement agreements between the two Parties' senior leaders; expanded bilateral cooperation mechanisms; closely coordinated on strategic issues related to security and development of each country; enhanced the sharing of theoretical and practical experiences in Party building, political system building, socio-economic development, national defense and security assurance, and international expansion and integration. The achievements in the fields of cooperation in recent times are something to be proud of.

On the basis of consistent principles agreed upon by the two Parties and States, along with the spirit of “helping friends is helping ourselves”, under the leadership of the two Parties, Vietnam and Laos have effectively promoted cooperation mechanisms through regular high-level visits and contacts. The two sides have strengthened and expanded economic cooperation, focusing on connecting the two economies in terms of institutions, infrastructure, energy, agriculture and services with hundreds of development projects. The two sides have paid great attention to training and fostering high-quality staff and human resources, ensuring that they meet the development requirements of each country in the new period.

In addition, the role of the two Parties is not only limited to the position of “leadership core” but also to those who keep the fire, spread the fire, promote and preserve the tradition of special solidarity between the two countries through generations, ensuring that the Vietnam-Laos relationship is always close, strong, and develops “forever green, forever sustainable” as President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Suphanouvong always wished.

The relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party is a sacred symbol of exemplary solidarity, rare in the history of international relations. It can be said that the special relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party is the solid core, guiding the overall great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. The bond between the two Parties is not only a valuable asset of the two peoples in the past but also the foundation for sustainable cooperation and development of the two countries in the future.

I firmly believe that, under the leadership of the two Parties, the Vietnam-Laos relationship will increasingly develop, bringing practical benefits to the people of each country, enhancing the position and role of each Party and each country in the international arena, making an important contribution to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

"What is special is that President Luong Cuong visited Laos this time in the atmosphere where the Lao ethnic people have just celebrated 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 senior leaders of the two Parties and two countries." (Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam)

Rally to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (March 22, 1955 - March 22, 2025) in Vientiane.

Laos has always actively supported Vietnam's efforts in ASEAN, including the ASEAN Future Forum initiative. Vietnam has also always supported Laos' efforts in ASEAN. What is your opinion on the cooperation efforts between the two countries within the ASEAN framework, promoting ASEAN's goals and vision in the new context?

In the context of globalization and economic integration taking place objectively and rapidly, Vietnam and Laos officially joined and became members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1995 and 1997 respectively. After that, Vietnam and Laos both strengthened bilateral cooperation and actively participated in and contributed to the ASEAN development mission.

During that process, Vietnam and Laos have always actively supported initiatives and made efforts to support each other. Not only are they active members of ASEAN, Laos and Vietnam are also responsible members in other multilateral forums and have always cooperated and supported each other in international and regional forums.

At the 43rd ASEAN Summit (2023), Vietnam proposed to organize the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF). This is part of Vietnam's efforts to build a new channel of exchange and discussion to attract the participation of the diverse people in ASEAN as well as ASEAN's partners; complementing ASEAN's exchanges in the official channel, contributing to ensuring that ASEAN's policies are people-oriented and people-centered.

At the Forum, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (2024) and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith (2025) attended and spoke, expressing their support and appreciation for Vietnam's efforts in proposing the initiative; affirming that this is an important event in the region, contributing to building a united, inclusive, and self-reliant ASEAN, strengthening its own strength as well as that of all member countries, in order to effectively deal with challenges and difficulties in a volatile world.

For its part, Vietnam has always sincerely supported, actively and effectively assisted its close comrade and brother Laos, especially when Laos assumed the rotating ASEAN Chairmanship. Vietnam has committed to and actively implemented, providing maximum support in all aspects for Laos, from material and spiritual to experience sharing, helping Laos fulfill its responsibilities during the years of ASEAN Chairmanship, contributing to enhancing Laos' role and position in the international arena.

Moreover, with the advantage of a long coastline with great potential, Vietnam has shared with Laos the way to the sea so that Laos can connect to the markets of ASEAN countries and the world in the fastest way, contributing to the successful implementation of the strategy of turning Laos from "a landlocked country to a connected country" of the Lao Party and State. A typical example is the investment cooperation between Lao-Viet International Port Joint Stock Company to develop Vung Ang port, Ha Tinh. In particular, wharf No. 3 of Vung Ang port will be officially announced to open, jointly operated under the common management of the Vietnam-Laos joint venture in the near future, meeting the export demand of Laos' goods, increasing the investment attractiveness index of Laos as well as serving well the transportation of transit goods and trade with the region and the world.

Today, the world and the region are witnessing rapid movements, epochal changes such as increasingly fierce strategic competition and separation between major countries, the explosion of science and technology, non-traditional security challenges, which have deeply impacted all aspects of global political, security, economic and social life, affecting countries and international organizations, including ASEAN. However, it is precisely these challenges and difficulties that have pushed ASEAN countries closer together, opening up opportunities for ASEAN to rise up and affirm new values ​​based on principles, common values ​​and results achieved after nearly 60 years of development.

Vietnam and Laos always give top priority to each other; strive to cooperate, support and help each other in the spirit of “helping friends is helping ourselves”; consistently considering the victory of one country as the victory of the other. Therefore, I firmly believe that, in the current changing context of the world and the region, Vietnam and Laos will continue to be steadfast, self-reliant and stand side by side to coordinate and support each other in resolving the challenges of the times, contributing to enhancing the position of the two countries in the international community and actively contributing to building a peaceful, stable, cooperative, sustainably developed and prosperous ASEAN community.

Thank you very much Ambassador!

Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith speaks at the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi on February 25. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-nguyen-minh-tam-chuyen-tham-cap-nha-naoc-toi-lao-vao-dip-tet-bunpimay-cua-chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-dong-day-ky-vong-moi-311845.html