I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to the Leaders of the Party and the State of the Lao P.D.R., and to its people.

Comrades and Friends,

77 years ago, the Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, claimed victory in the August Revolution, overthrowing the feudal system, breaking the colonial chains, and taking power for the people. On 2 September, 1945, at the rally on the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh delivered the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the people and the whole world. This is an illustrious milestone in the history of the Vietnamese nation, bringing Vietnam into a new era "of independence, freedom, and mastery of its own destiny".

Since then, under the brilliant leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people has overcome countless adversities and challenges, and won a great many victories of historic proportion. We were triumphant in our resistance wars against foreign invaders, and successfully conducted the Doi Moi process, achieving many historic gains.

Today Vietnam has fully graduated from underdeveloped status. It is advancing industrialisation and modernisation, improving the people's living standards, safeguarding its national defence and security, and upholding its socio-political stability. The cultural, educational and healthcare sectors have also made significant headway. Vietnam's external relations are flourishing, its international integration is well under way, and its standing and prestige has been in the international and regional arena are growing from strength to strength. Most notably, since the 13th National Party Congress, Vietnam has taken new steps ahead. Party rectification and leadership capacity building are well under way, bringing about many important deliverables. This year, the Communist Party of Vietnam issued critical resolutions for economic development, and will continue to initiate major economic and political policies to chart the course for Vietnam's socio-economic development going forward. State administration continued to be enhanced and performed in a cohesive way, hand-in-hand with the building of an enabling Government of integrity and action, in service of the people and businesses.

Throughout the last two years' fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam has successfully achieved the dual goals of both curbing the pandemic and sustaining economic development. It  is one of the few countries in Asia to enjoy positive growth. As the year began, Vietnam has harnessed the spirit of initiative, activeness, flexibility and innovation, focusing on post-COVID-19 economic recovery and growth to create a driving force to fulfil the socio-economic development targets under the Five-Year Plan 2021-2025. As a result, productive and business operation has returned to normal. Socio-economic stability has been well-maintained over the first seven months, macroeconomic balances are kept, and inflation is under control. Highlights include: the CPI only increased by 2.54% year-on-year. Foreign trade turnover was in excess of US$431.94 billion, up by 14.8%. The number of international visitors is 954.6 thousand, ten times the figure last year. Inbound FDI to date is US$11.57 billion, up 10.2%.

Vietnam wishes to be friends with all countries in the global community, striving for peace, independence and development. Bearing this spirit in mind, Vietnam has built a network of effective partnerships, even with former war enemies. It enjoys relations with more than 500 international organisations, diplomatic ties with 189 out of 193 UN member states, and Strategic and Comprehensive Partnerships with 30 countries (being the only Southeast Asia country to maintain such partnerships with all five permanent members of the UN Security Council); Vietnam also maintains economic relations with 224 partners. It is a participant in 90 bilateral trade agreements and nearly 60 agreements on investment promotion and protection. It is a signatory to 17 free trade agreements (FTA) in effect, and has become one of the leading countries in the region in the making of multilateral economic cooperation frameworks. It engages in extensive economic integration through an active and in-depth participation in global economic institutions, and is a vigorous and effective player in global and regional FTAs, including next-generation agreements (CPTPP, RCEP, EVFTA, and EVIPA). It takes an active part in UN peacekeeping operations and in the building and shaping of multilateral institutions, laws and standards; and plays a more active role in global governance mechanisms. Notably, this year, for the first time, Vietnam successfully hosted the Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centres Annual General Meeting and Workshop 2022.

Last year, Vietnam fulfilled its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, during which it made active contributions to the work of the Security Council. This conveyed a strong message of an independent, self-reliant, innovative, peace-loving, trustworthy and sincere Vietnam: a country that respects international law, keeps its conduct well in balance, and makes active and responsible contributions to peace, cooperation, development and progress in the world.

This year, Vietnam also celebrates the 77th anniversary of its modern diplomatic service, a branch of service with the honour of being under the direct leadership of President Ho Chi Minh as the first Foreign Minister. Over the past 77 years, the diplomatic service has been an important contributor to the struggle for national independence and reunification, the process of Doi Moi, international integration and national defence, and the advancement of Vietnam’s standing in the international arena.

Comrades and Friends,

The Party, State and people of Vietnam are always deeply aware that in the building and defence of our country, in addition to our own efforts, we have always enjoyed the invaluable support from international friends. The solidarity and the great and sincere assistance of the Party, State and people of Laos stand out. On this remarkable occasion, on behalf of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the fraternal Party, State and people of Laos for the solidarity and the invaluable assistance accorded to Vietnam.

I also sincerely thank all levels of the Party, Government and people of Laos for supporting the Vietnamese community in Laos, and facilitating their stable livelihood in your country. This community is a solid contributor to the building of a prosperous Laos, and a bridge that spans the special relationship between our two countries.

Comrades and Friends,

We take great delight and pride to witness the bond of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos flourish and deepen. This has brought about enormous, real  benefits to both countries. The year 2022 stands out as our two countries are  jointly organizing the Celebration of the 60th  anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the Signing of the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in each country's respective capitals. We have hosted various celebratory activities through flexible and cordial formats, in each country and at our two countries' overseas representative missions. Economic cooperation has broken new grounds. Vietnam continues to be one of Laos' top foreign investors and trade partners of Laos, and the quality of Vietnamese investments being improved. Connectivity between the two economies, especially the connection of infrastructure and transportation, is being promoted. I am confident that Laos will soon become an important hub for connectivity and transit in Southeast Asia, given the cooperation of Vietnam and other countries in the region. Vietnam - Laos security and defence, diplomatic, cultural, social and people-to-people exchanges, among others, have also grown stronger and deeper.

Looking back on our heroic history, we are extremely proud of the making of the rare, extraordinary relationship between our two peoples. This bond grew from a traditional friendship to a truly special relationship, whose foundation was laid by the great beloved President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong, and cultivated by successive generations of our two countries' leaders and peoples. Having endured numerous adversities and challenges, this relationship has become a dynamic, exemplary, faithful, and pure bond rarely seen around the world, one of the deciding factors for the victory of each country's revolution. This is an invaluable asset our two countries share, and a great source of strength for the each country's respective national construction and defence.

Most notably, the friendship between Vietnam and Laos has recently been deeply manifest during our shared struggle against the adversities of COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the Lao Party and State have in many ways lent encouragement and support, both financially and materially, to Vietnam in its fight against the pandemic. We are extremely touched by the support from the leaders and people of Laos, even in a time you were facing many difficulties yourselves. On this occasion, let me express our sincere gratitude to the Party, State and people of Laos, and to worldwide friends and the international community for the timely support given to Vietnam. When the pandemic broke out in Laos, although Vietnam was also dealing with the pandemic, its ministries, authorities and people all over the country turned to the fraternal Laos, offering both material and moral support. As we face the unpredictability of climate change and epidemics, more than ever, the people of Laos and Vietnam and the international community must join hands to confront disasters and epidemics. The special relationship between Vietnam and Laos shall once again be tested and tempered in this shared struggle.

Comrades and Friends,

Currently, our two countries are presented with ample opportunities for development, along with a great many difficulties and challenges. More than ever, we need to strengthen and reinforce the special bond of solidarity between Vietnam and Laos. The history of our two countries has shown that, without that special relationship, we would not have been able to win such monumental achievements in our struggle for national liberation in the past and in our national construction and defence today. The Party, State and people of Vietnam have stood on Laos' side,  and will always remain on your side, especially during trying moments. We support wholeheartedly for Laos to overcome and continue to develop sustainably. We pledge to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Party, State and people of Laos to preserve and nurture the great and enduring bond of friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples, and bring it from strength to strength.

On this occasion, from the bottom of my heart, I wish the fraternal people of Laos, under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, even more and greater achievements in its reforms. I wish you every success in your implementation of the Resolution of the 11th National Party Congress, to build a prosperous and strong Laos, bring wellbeing and wealth to your people, develop a united, harmonious, democratic, fair and civilised society, and raise the Lao PDR’s standing and status in the region and the world.

May the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos remain evergreen and endure forever.

Thank you very much, comrades and friends.

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by LAO NEWS AGENCY

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