Vientiane (VNA) – The ongoing visit to Vietnam by General Secretary of the Lไao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Bounnhang Volachith demonstrates that the country treasures its ties wit💖h Vietnam.

The statement was made by Sunthone Sayachak, head of the Lao Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, in an interview with Vietnam News Agency. The official said Vietnam was Bounnhang Volachith’s first trip abroad as Lao Party General Secretary and President. The Vietnamese and Lao Parties, States and people boast a time-honoured relationship, fostered by Presidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong, and strengthened by generations of officials, soldiers and people of the two countries over the past decades, she said. Despite the difficulties facing each nation, bilateral cooperation has thrived, the official stressed. Regarding bilateral collaboration, Sunthone Sayachak said political ties have served as a foundation for their affiliation in other fields. Apart from security, national defence and foreign affairs, the two countries’ cooperation in investment, economy and trade has made big strides, she said, noting that Vietnam is now one of Laos’ leading investors with total registered capital of 4.9 billion USD. Cooperation in the sphere of human resource development is also noteworthy, where the Lao side highly values Vietnam’s support to the country, she said. Many Lao officials, who have received training organised in Vietnam, hold key positions in the country’s Party, State and Government at both grassroots and central levels. Sunthone Sayachak said during his Vietnam visit, from April 25-27, the Lao Party General Secretary and President is due to hold meetings with Vietnamese leaders, during which the two sides will affirm their goodwill and desire to enhance bilateral cooperation and friendship.-VNA