Hanoi (VNA) – The official visit to Vietnamby General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) CentralCommittee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, from June 28-29, is asignificant event in the great friendship and special solidarity between thetwo countries.

This is the first overseas trip by Thongloun Sisoulithin his capacity as Lao Party General Secretary and President for the 2021-2026tenure. This is also the first high-ranking Party and State delegation of Laosto visit Vietnam after the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party ofVietnam (CPV).

It contributes to affirming the two countries’ foreignpolicies of attaching great importance to preserving and continuouslydeveloping the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensivecooperation, and deepening the close and trusting relations between leaders ofthe two Parties and countries in the time ahead.

Over the past more than eight decades, the traditionalrelationship and close-knit, faithful ties between Vietnamese and Lao peoples,founded by Vietnam’s President Ho Chi Minh and Presidents Kaysone Phomvihaneand Suphanouvong of Laos, and promoted by generations of the two countries’ leadersand peoples, have become an invaluable asset shared by the two nations.

The two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship andCooperation on July 18, 1977, creating a firm legal foundation for theenhancement and expansion of the special ties in the new period, and afoundation for the two sides to reach a range of cooperation agreements later.

Vietnam and Laos have also provided mutual support intheir reform process, and both have reaped significant achievements in economy,and social and foreign affairs. Notably, the bilateral political ties havedeveloped more intensively, extensively and firmly.

Despite the complex developments of the COVID-19pandemic in 2020 and early 2021, the two countries maintained a number ofhigh-level meetings in suitable forms.

Cooperation in national defence and security has alsobeen enhanced and proven more fruitful.

Vietnam is one of the three biggest investors in Laos.Two-way trade in the first five months of this year when the COVID-19 was stillravaging exceeded 570 million USD, up 25 percent year-on-year.

The two countries have continued to prioritisecooperation in education and training. Vietnam grants up to 1,220 scholarshipsto Lao students this year.

Thongloun Sisoulith’s selection of Vietnam for hisfirst overseas trip after he was elected as the top Party and State leader ofLaos will help consolidate and deepen the great friendship, specialsolidarity and comprehensive cooperation, bringing pragmatic interests topeoples of both sides./.