The Lao diplomat has given an exclusive interview to the People’s Army Newspaper on the occasion of the 45th National Day of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (December 2, 1975-2020) and the 100th birth anniversary of late Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane (December 13, 1920-2020).
Below is the interview with the Lao ambassador.
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Lao Ambassador Sengphet Houngboungnuang (right) in the interview with the PAN's reporter |
Reporter: Can you tell us more about the outstanding achievements obtained by the Party, government and people of Laos over the past 45 years, Mr. Ambassador?
Ambassador Sengphet Houngboungnuang: Over the past 45 years, under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the country has reaped great outcomes in maintaining a stable political situation, military-defense maintenance, increasing socio-economic development, and improvement in local people’s living standards.
This year, due to the complicated developments of the COVID-19, many economies in the world have experienced negative growth rates. However, Laos has enjoyed impressive growth rate, ranging from 3.3% to 3.6%, and its per capita income in 2020 has reached USD 2,742.
In addition, the country has expanded and deepened its external relations with various countries around the world. So far, Laos has established its diplomatic ties with 143 nations.
The aforementioned achievements have partly stemmed from the support from the Vietnamese Party, State, and people.
Reporter: The great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam is time-honored. Which opportunities has this relationship opened up for the two nations?
Ambassador Sengphet Houngboungnuang: The special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos was founded and nurtured by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Laos President Kaysone Phomvihane and Prince Souphanouvong and has been fostered by generations of Vietnamese and Lao leaders and people.
Inheriting the above-mentioned valuable tradition, senior leaders of the two Parties and States have held regular meetings in different formats, and exchanges of all-level delegations have been maintained.
The two neighboring countries have also effectively maintained bilateral cooperation mechanisms, worked closely, effectively, and supported each other in global and regional issues and in cooperation frameworks such as ASEAN and U.N. These have contributed to upholding peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region and the rest of the world.
Reporter: In the context of a complexly changing world, especially the complicated developments of the COVID-19, in which areas should the two countries cooperate to tackle non-traditional security challenges?
Ambassador Sengphet Houngboungnuang: Over the past time, the two nations have jointly organized virtual external relations activities to realize the signed cooperation contents. Attentively, they have actively supported each other in the COVID-19 fight, including sharing experiences in COVID-19 prevention and control and treatment for COVID-19 patients and boosting information dissemination to raise the public awareness of the need to strictly apply COVID-19 prevention measures.
In addition, Vietnam has provided Laos with medical supplies to combat the COVID-19. This has importantly contributed to the country’s effective COVID-19 prevention and control work and demonstrated the wholehearted sentiments of the Vietnamese Party, government, and people towards their Lao counterparts.
Reporter: What is your evaluation of Vietnam’s achievements as the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council for the 2020-2021 period?
Ambassador Sengphet Houngboungnuang: 2020 is a special year for Vietnam as the country serves as both the ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. As the ASEAN Chair, Vietnam has not only successfully organized the 36th and 37th ASEAN Summits and Related Meetings, but also devised drastic and practical measures to challenges facing ASEAN.
Moreover, as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, Vietnam has made active contributions to addressing issues of common concern in an appropriate and balanced manner. It has also striven to perform its mediation role, thus enhancing its position in the world and creating a peaceful environment in the region and the world.
Reporter: Thank you very much!
Translated by Mai Huong