Vietnam always prioritises the consolidation and strengthening of the
traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation
with Laos.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan
Phuc made the remarks at a reception hosted by General Secretary of the
Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President Choummaly Sayasone
in Laos ’ southern province of Attapeu on February 25.
Phuc congratulated Laos on its achievements in implementing the
Resolution of the 9 th Party Congress and the 7 th five-year
socio-economic development plan, as well as its admittance to the World
Trade Organisation and success in hosting the 7th Asia-Europe
Parliamentary Partnership Meeting (ASEP 7), the 9 th Asia-Europe
Meeting (ASEM 9) and the Asia-Europe Business Forum.
He affirmed that he will direct Vietnam ’s ministries, departments
and localities to actively implement cooperative agreements in
economics, education-training, and security-defence with the Lao side
for the fine development of the two countries’ relations.
Sayasone expressed his delight at the success of the 2012 Vietnam-Laos
Friendship Year, describing it as an important event in political
activities and a highlight in the two countries’ relationship.
He appreciated Vietnamese businesses’ investment in Laos and
expressed hope that they will focus on finishing key and large-scale
projects in Laos ’ socio-economic development plan, as well as expand
their operations to disadvantaged provinces in the country.
Within the framework of his visit to Laos , Phuc also attended the
inauguration ceremony of a sugarcane factory and a thermo-electricity
centre, funded by Hoang Anh Gia Lai Corporation (HAGL), in Attapeu
province.
Addressing the ceremony, which was
attended by Sayasone and Deputy Prime Minister Somsavad Lengsavath,
among others, Phuc hailed HAGL’s efforts in implementing and ensuring
the quality of the two projects.
He suggested
Vietnamese investors in Laos, especially HAGL, grasp thoroughly the
spirit of the Vietnam-Laos cooperation strategy for the 2011-2020 period
and the five-year cooperation agreement (2011-20 15 ) between the two
countries.
On behalf of the Lao Party and
Government, Somsavad Lengsavath expressed his gratitude to the
Vietnamese Party and Government for their help to his country over the
years. His thanks were also extended to Vietnamese businesses,
especially HAGL, which have implemented efficient projects in Laos .
On the same day, Phuc and his Lao counterpart
attended the inauguration ceremony of the Hoang Anh-Attapeu rubber-latex
processing factory. The factory, with an 11-million USD investment from
HAGL, has an annual capacity of 25,000 tonnes.-VNA