Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (left) and Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy PrimeMinister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh visited the Lao Embassy in Hanoion April 11 to extend his greetings ahead of the Lao traditional New Yearfestival Bunpimay.
At the visit, Minh expressed his delight atthriving Vietnam – Laos ties and regular visits between their high-rankingleaders. He mentioned the recent visitto Laos by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and PresidentNguyen Phu Trong, saying it helped boost bilateral cooperation.
He affirmed Vietnam considers Laos’traditional New Year festival as its own and vice versa, and their exchanges ofgreetings reflect friendship, solidarity and partnership.
The Deputy PM said Vietnam is working torealise agreements obtained between the two leaders to push relations towardeffectiveness and practical outcomes.
The Foreign Ministry will continuecollaborating with the Lao embassy on such efforts and further extendcooperation opportunities for both nations, he added.
Congratulating Laos on its achievementsafter three years implementing the Resolution of the 10th National Congress ofthe Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, Minh said he believes the country, underits Party’s leadership, will continue its gains in the future.
For his part, Lao Ambassador ThongsavanhPhomvihane said the Deputy PM and Foreign Ministry officials always createfavourable conditions for the embassy to fulfill its mission.
He stated the embassy will continue workingclosely with the ministry on monitoring and boosting the implementation of thetwo nations’ cooperation agreements.
Expressing his appreciation for Vietnam’sassistance toward his country, the diplomat said Laos will step up itseducation on the bilateral relations and celebration of the two nations’ majorevents, particularly the 70th traditional day of Vietnamese soldiersin Laos (October 30, 1949).
Bupimay festival takes place in Laos onApril 14 – 16 annually, with locals splashing water on each other to wish forgood luck in the year ahead.-VNA
VNA
