Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan (Photo: VNA)In his speech delivered at the event, Secretary of the municipal PartyCommittee Nguyen Thien Nhan highlighted the long-lasting relations between thetwo countries, which were founded by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and KaysonePhomvihane and Prince Souphanouvong, then nurtured and developed by generationsof Party and State leaders and people of Vietnam and Laos.
On September 5, 1962, the two nations officially set up diplomatic relations,opening a new chapter in history of the bilateral relationship, he said.
Later, on July 18, 1977, Vietnam and Laos signed the Treaty on Amity andCooperation, a very important document that creates a firm legal foundation fora series of joint agreements to enhance and expand the sound traditionalfriendship and comprehensive cooperation in a wide range of fields in the newperiod, Nhan said.
The official added that HCM City has cooperative relations with Vientiane andChampasak province while regularly coordinating with many other Lao localitiessuch as Xiangkhouang, Houaphanh and Attapeu provinces.
For his part, Santiphap Phomvihane, Secretary and Governor of the Lao provinceof Savanakhet, said amid regional and global complicated developments,especially challenges regarding market mechanism, international integration andglobalisation, it is a high time for the two Parties, States and people of Laosand Vietnam to further nurture the bilateral solidarity, friendship and comprehensivecooperation.
He believed that in the future, the Lao and Vietnamese people wouldcontinue standing side by side and supporting each other in nationalconstruction and development, thus obtaining greater achievements on the pathto socialism.
Also at the ceremony, HCM City was presented a first-class Labour Order by theLao State for its contributions to promoting special relations between Vietnamand Laos.
On this occasion, a photo exhibition entitled “Vietnam-Laos traditionalfriendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation” was opened in HCMCity’s pedestrian street. The exhibition will run until July 22.
A similar ceremony was also organised in the central city of Da Nang onthe same day.-VNA
VNA
