The agreement was reached during talks in Hanoi on April 23 between the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, Nong Duc Manh, and the General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and State President, Choumaly Sayasone, who is in Hanoi for an official visit to Vietnam.

The two Party leaders said they are proud of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and loyalty between the two Parties, States and people. They spoke highly of the fruitful development of bilateral cooperation in all areas and vowed to maintain and develop the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, which was founded and fostered by the late President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihan and many other leaders.  

The special Vietnam-Laos relationship is an invaluable asset and the decisive factor behind the victory of the cause of national construction and defence in each country, they said.  

Both host and guest agreed to strengthen political ties, increase the exchange of visits at all levels and share experiences in carrying out the Doi Moi (Renewal) process and Party building campaign in their respective countries.

They said that both countries should work closely to complete compiling a history book on their special relationship on time, increase cooperation in security and national defence and build a common borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development in future.

They underlined the need to boost effective cooperation between their ministries, agencies, localities and business communities, draw up the Vietnam-Laos cooperation strategy for the 2011-2020 period and jointly organise their big anniversaries in 2009 and 2010.

They shared the view that Vietnam and Laos should further cooperate with each other at regional and international forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN, AIPA, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Francophone Community, the Greater Mekong Sub-region, the Vietnam-Laos and Cambodia Development Triangle and the East-West Corridor, contributing to peace, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia and the rest of the world.

Vietnam is willing to share its experiences to help Laos successfully organise the upcoming 25th SEA Games and integrate into the world economy, said Mr Manh.

President Choumaly Sayasone invited Mr Manh to visit Laos and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

After the talks, Mr Manh and Mr Sayasone witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation agreements between the two countries. They included an agreement to facilitate the movements of vehicles across their border, a memorandum of understanding on civil aviation cooperation, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in food safety & hygiene and plant & animal quarantine, and a contract to explore salt mines in Savanakhet province.

The same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received the visiting Lao President who said that the special friendship and relationship between Vietnam and Laos is vital to the two nations.

They acknowledged the effective implementation of joint cooperation projects on hydro-electric power plants, roads, cash crops and mining, bringing benefits to both sides. They said that the two governments should continue to iron out snags for their businesses to increase cooperation.

In the evening, Party leader Manh gave a banquet in honour of Mr Sayasone and his entourage.