World leaders mourn the passing of former President Tran Duc Luong

The Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the President, the National Assembly, the Government, the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction and the Lao people sent condolences, expressing "deep sorrow and regret" upon hearing the news of the passing of former President Tran Duc Luong, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

FormerPresident Tran Duc Luong.

In the telegram, the Lao high-ranking leader assessed former President Tran Duc Luong as an exemplary leader and pillar of the Party and State of Vietnam, always upholding the spirit of sacrifice and being a pioneering role model of Party members, serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, the country and the people with a pure spirit, while devoting his mind and strength to the cause of protecting and building a prosperous Vietnam.

"The passing of comrade Tran Duc Luong is not only a great loss for the Party, State and people of Vietnam, but the Lao Party, State and people have also lost a very close friend and comrade," the telegram said.

Lao leaders affirmed that former President Tran Duc Luong had always cared about and wholeheartedly supported the cause of protecting and building Laos, making a great and important contribution to consolidating and nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States and peoples to become increasingly close and bear fruit.

General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping sent a condolence message, describing former President Tran Duc Luong as an outstanding leader who made important contributions to Vietnam's reform, opening up and development, and at the same time constantly made efforts to promote Vietnam-China relations.

General Secretary and President Xi Jinping believes that under the steadfast leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam headed by General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam will "turn pain into strength and continuously achieve new achievements in the cause of building socialism."

In their condolence letters, King Norodom Sihamoni, Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, President of the Senate Hun Sen, Prime Minister Hun Manet and President of the Cambodian National Assembly Khuon Sudary expressed their respect to former President Tran Duc Luong, considering him an outstanding and dedicated leader who devoted his entire career to peace, independence, social progress and national modernization, for the happiness of the Vietnamese people.

The leaders also emphasized that former President Tran Duc Luong is "a long-time true friend of Cambodia, playing an important role in building and developing close relations between the two countries."

First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel, Prime Minister of Cuba Manuel Marrero Cruz and President of the National Assembly and President of the Council of State of Cuba Esteban Lazo sent their condolences to the Party, Government and people of Vietnam.

"We are saddened by the passing of comrade Tran Duc Luong, who contributed to building the deep brotherly relationship between Cuba and Vietnam. We would like to express our deepest condolences to the Party, Government and people of Vietnam," said Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to Vietnamese leaders. "Comrade Tran Duc Luong was a great friend of Russia, making great contributions to the relationship between the two countries, the most important result of which was the two leaders signing the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Russia in 2001," he wrote.

Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Acting Head of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Commission Bunlue Phandanouvong sent a letter of condolences to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.