During the event, the Lao Party General Secretary and State President recalled the history of the Vietnam - Laos special relations, suggested measures to strengthen the great friendship, and called on young generations of the two countries to continue protecting and developing the special bilateral relationship.
The interview has been translated into English below:
Reporter: Could you elaborate more on the special relations between Vietnam and Laos and the importance of the establishment of their diplomatic ties?
Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith: As we all know, Laos and Vietnam are two neighboring countries, sharing the same mountains and rivers. People of the two countries have harmoniously lived for a very long time. From late 19th and early 20th century, the two countries fell into the same situation of losing their independence, and their people were oppressed and exploited by foreign imperialists.
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Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith (Photo: VNA) |
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded the Communist Party of Indochina, the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, and the Cambodian People's Party were then formed to lead people of the three Indochinese countries to fight side by side against the common enemy, gaining independence and complete freedom for the people of the three nations.
Under the leadership of the former Lao People's Party led by President Kaysone Phomvihane, Laos always considered great friendship, special solidarity, and combat alliance with the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese military, and people the decisive forces for all of its victories. The great friendship and special solidarity of the two parties, the two states, and the two peoples have formed since then.
Talking about the importance of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Laos and Vietnam 60 years ago on September 5, the two countries have always attached great importance to the relationship and designated 2022 as the “Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Friendship Year” to celebrate the two important events. I would like to say that the decision to establish diplomatic relations between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the Kingdom of Laos at that time was the result of the great victory of our two countries' revolutions, increasing the role and influence of the Vietnam Democratic Republic in the world. In Laos, the Geneva Agreement on Laos signed in 1962 led to the establishment of a tripartite government. At that time, the political and diplomatic struggle of patriotic forces in the tripartite government led to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Laos and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 5, 1962.
This was considered an important event, a new development in the diplomatic victory of the revolutionary forces of two parties and states, as before that only the embassy of the Saigon government was recognized in Vientiane. However, after September 5, 1962, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam set up its embassy in Vientiane, and the Kingdom of Laos also launched its embassy in Hanoi next to the Representative Office of the Lao Patriotic Front.
The establishment of diplomatic relations between Laos and Vietnam was a historical event, an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries, and an outcome in our struggle on the political, diplomatic, and military fronts. The event met the requirements of the two countries' revolution and was a basis for their continued relationship after the Lao People's Democratic Republic was established, and Vietnam reunified the country and founded the Socialist Republic of Vietnam up to now.
Reporter: What areas should the two countries pay attention to in order to further strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam in the coming time?
Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith: The spirit of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Laos and Vietnam is not only close comradeship and brotherhood but also solid solidarity. All has become the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation that have been and will live forever with the peoples of our two countries.
In order to further strengthen the relationship, I think that Laos and Vietnam should continue to hold hands firmly to together move forward, further support and help each other, exchange experience, knowledge and skills, create favorable conditions for socio-economic development in each country, and jointly bring into play their strengths, potentials, and special features to bring about the benefits for their people. Secondly, the two countries should continue to implement agreements signed by leaders of the two parties and governments to bring about practical benefits for the two countries and foster comprehensive cooperation in economic sector to obtain more effective results to be on par with the Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam political relations. Thirdly, Vietnam and Laos should pay attention to fostering socio-culture cooperation, improving their cooperation in human resources development, and in addressing problems that may cause negative phenomena in border areas of the two countries to build a borderline of peace and stability to create favorable conditions for people to travel and work. Last but not least, the two sides should educate the two countries’ people, especially young generations, on the history of the bilateral friendship and pure solidarity between the two nations, thus encouraging them to fight against hostile forces' schemes of sabotaging and splitting the Vietnam - Laos ties.
Reporter: What would you like to say to the people, especially youths of the two countries, on this occasion, Sir?
Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith: We are very pleased to see that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, which are the tradition between the two parties, the two states and the two peoples, were nurtured by former generations and have been continuously enhanced by current one, bringing practical benefits to the Vietnamese and Lao people.
On this occasion, I would like to say to the Vietnamese and Lao people that let us continue the cause of the previous generations and strive to make the special Vietnam - Laos relationship evergreen and sustainable forever. The Lao and Vietnamese young generations are good successors to protect and nurture the special Vietnam - Laos relationship like protecting their own eyes. Let's cooperate, join efforts, stay united, love and help each other in the spirit of comradeship and brotherhood, together protect the revolutionary achievements, build and develop prosperous and strong countries, and launch movements to celebrate the Vietnam – Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.
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The talks between Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane on August 9, 2021 (Photo: VNA) |
On the occasion of the 77th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on and express my delight at the achievements that Vietnam has obtained over the past 77 years. I wish that, under the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the Vietnamese people will continue to attain greater achievements, successfully carry out the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, continue the strong renovation cause, turn Vietnam into an industrialized country in the direction of modernity, and achieve the goals of building a strong country with prosperous people and a fair, democratic, and civilized society.
May the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive Vietnam - Laos cooperation be forever beautiful and sustainable!
Reporter: Thank you!
Translated by Tran Hoai