Remarks by Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh on occasion of 42nd National Day of Lao PDR

Politburo member, Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh speaks at the reception celebrating the 42nd National Day of Lao PDR in Ha Noi on November 29. Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

Comrade Tong Thi Phong, Politburo Member, First Vice President of the National Assembly;

Comrade Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, Politburo Member, Vice State President;

Comrade Thongsavane Phomvihane, Ambassador of Lao PDR to Viet Nam,

Distinguished guests, Laotian and Vietnamese friends, ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to be here today at the reception on the occasion of the 42^nd National Day of Lao People's Democratic Republic and the 55^th anniversary of Viet Nam – Laos diplomatic relations (5 September 1962 – 5 Septermber 2017), hosted by the embassy of Lao PDR to Viet Nam. On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, I would like to extend warmest congratulations to the leaders of the Laotian Party and State, the brotherly Laotians of all ethnicities, and Comrade Ambassador Thongsavane Phomvihane.

Laotian comrades and friends,

The Lao PDR came into being on 12 December 1975. This was a tremendous triumph of the Laotian peoples, as well as a major victory of the special relationship, the solidarity - combat alliance, and the unbreakable faithful bonds between the Vietnamese and Laotian peoples.

Over the last 42 years, under the wise leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the brotherly Laotian people have scored enormous, historic achievements. Your national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity are maintained. Your political and social stability are upheld.  Your economic growth are maintained at a high level. In recent years Laos has consistently maintained her position among the fastest-growing economies in ASEAN, and your people's material and cultural life are constantly improved. The Laotian people are united and full of faith in the bright future of your nation. The Lao PDR's role and status are continually enhanced within ASEAN as well as at the regional and international arena.

The Vietnamese Party, State and people congratulate you for your triumphs. We have every reason to believe that in the upcoming future, the brotherly Laotian people will continue to successfully realize the resolution of the 10^th National Congress of the Laotian People's Revolutionary Party and the 8^th Five-Year Socio-economic Development Plan for an ever more prosperous and affluent Laotian nation.

Comrades,

Friends,

We have the greatest pride in the exemplary, faithful and pure relationship between Viet Nam and Laos. This is the most invaluable treasure that we must nurture, cherish and pass on to the next generations.

The special relationship between Viet Nam and Laos has withstood countless ordeals, hardships and sacrifices, and been nurtured by bloods and bones in the struggle for the independence, freedom and happiness of our two peoples and nations. To both our peoples, this unchangingly faithful special relationship is a matter of ground principle and a bond as close as flesh and blood. History has proven that the special solidarity between Viet Nam and Laos is a wellspring that amplifies our strength and empowers us from one victory to the next.

In addition to the outcomes achieved in of bilateral relations, our two countries have also attained numerous results at the multilateral level, in particular our close cooperation within ASEAN as well as other international and regional forums. On this occasion, we wish to sincerely thank the brotherly Laotian Party, State and people for the support you have accorded the Vietnamese Party, State and people in the recent hosting of the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders' Week in Da Nang City.

Most notably, in 2017 we are delighted to celebrate the “Viet Nam – Laos Year of Friendship and Solidarity”, the 55^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries (5 September 1962 – 5 September 2017) and the 40^th anniversary of the Viet Nam – Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (18 July 1977 – 18 July 2017). This is a bright milestone that further deepens the special and traditional solidarity and friendship between Viet Nam and Laos. Our high-level leaders have important respective visits, thus adding on to the mutual trust and understanding between our two countries' leadership and strengthening our special relationship. Our two countries' Ministries, agencies, committees and localities have organized various celebratory events under many formats that are solemn, diverse and practical in equal measures. Such events have vividly expressed the traditional friendship, the special solidarity and the comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos while creating a clear impression to strengthen and foster the existing ties between us. I can name a few exemplary events: The 4^th Lao-Viet Nam Peoples' Friendship Festival held in Laos, the Viet Nam Culture and Tourism Days in Laos, the Retracing the Footstep of the Leaders of Laos and Viet Nam (President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane) in Viet Nam and Laos, and various other meaningful celebrations.  

The two sides have worked closely together to promote economic, investment and trade cooperation, focusing on economic, transportation and infrastructural connectivity projects. We have also prioritized addressing hindrances and difficulties facing our businesses as well as handling the few remaining issues in order to realize the 2017 Cooperation Plan between the two governments and the 2016 – 2020 Viet Nam – Laos Bilateral Cooperation Agreement. There are various breakthroughs in culture, education and training cooperation: there are presently 14,209 Laotian students taking courses in Viet Nam, and 250 Vietnamese students doing the same in Laos.

Comrades,

Friends,          

With our traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation throughout the last 55 years, I have every reason to believe that in the upcoming period, our two peoples will continue to accompany each other, elevate our cooperation in all areas, be it political, security-defense, economic, cultural, education and training or any other. Our relations shall be deepened and enhanced, thus living up to the aspiration and interest of our two peoples and contribute to the building of a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN Community. 

To share in today's joyous atmosphere in celebration of the 42^th National Day of the People's Democratic Republic of Laos and the 55^th anniversary of Viet Nam – Laos diplomatic relations (5 September 1962 – 5 Septermber 2017), let us all, distinguished guests, Laotian and Vietnamese friends, raise our glasses:

- To the prosperity and happiness of the Laotian people and nation!

- To the evergreen and everlasting traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between Viet Nam and Laos!

- To the good health of Vietnamese and Laotian leaders!

- To the good health of all distinguished guests and friends present here today!