Former Lao leaders expressed their condolences and regret over the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, calling him the closest and most intimate friend of the Lao Party, State and people.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith with the people of Hanoi , on the morning of December 19, 2017. Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA

Former General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith assessed that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was a revolutionary leader, a staunch communist of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, who devoted his whole life to revolutionary activities, dedicating his youth, strength and intelligence to the cause of national liberation, national reunification and the cause of Renovation of the Communist Party of Vietnam .

Mr. Bounnhang Vorachith emphasized that Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong is an important leader who always pays close attention and has made positive contributions to preserving and nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States and peoples of Laos and Vietnam, bringing great efficiency and practical benefits to the people of the two countries.

According to former General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith, despite the complicated developments in the regional and world situation, along with the difficulties and challenges that Laos and Vietnam are facing, thanks to the attention and guidance of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam have continuously developed in both breadth and depth in all fields. Political relations have increasingly deepened and have high trust; the two sides regularly maintain delegation exchanges, high-level contacts and organize cooperation mechanisms; regularly exchange theoretical lessons, Party building and cadre work, and regularly discuss strategic issues.

Regarding economic and trade relations, Vietnam is one of the countries/territories with the largest investment capital in Laos. Trade cooperation has grown positively, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of Laos. Cooperation in defense-security, education-sports, culture, health, transportation, science-technology, agriculture... has also grown positively, closer to reality and more effective than before.

Mr. Bounnhang Vorachith pointed out that the ingenuity and wisdom of "diplomat" Nguyen Phu Trong is reflected in the fact that the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam focuses on directing Vietnam's foreign affairs in the direction of bamboo diplomacy, achieving many successes, skillfully maintaining the balance between relations with all countries. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong plays an important role in promoting multifaceted cooperation with many other countries, bringing practical results to the country. In particular, promoting the relationship between Laos - Vietnam - Cambodia through the high-level meeting mechanism between the leaders of the three parties, to tighten and enhance the increasingly deep political relationship, contributing to promoting the development of state relations between the three countries of Laos - Vietnam - Cambodia in the new era. All of these are important lessons in the leadership and direction of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, helping to enhance the role and prestige of the Party and State of Vietnam in regional and international forums.

The former General Secretary and President of Laos reiterated the joint statement after General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's visit to Laos in 2019, pointing out that the relationship between the two countries is a great friendship, an affirmation of great significance and consistent with the reality of the relationship between the two countries. The Laos-Vietnam relationship is a good traditional relationship, a close-knit solidarity, fighting together on the same trench, always standing shoulder to shoulder to win. This relationship was forged in combat, an important factor in the struggle for national salvation, built, nurtured and continued to be preserved and developed by generations of leaders of the two countries, becoming a priceless heritage of the two countries, the law of existence and development of the revolutions of the two countries, one of the factors for the victory of each country's revolution. The special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation are deeply rooted, lasting and vibrant, hard to find in the world, described by President Ho Chi Minh in famous verses: “If we love each other, we can climb any mountain, wade any river, and cross any pass. Vietnam and Laos, our two countries, have a love deeper than the Red River and the Mekong River.”

Former General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith said that in the context of the current complicated and unpredictable developments in the world and region, Laos and Vietnam need to continue to preserve and strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, which is increasingly deepening; be vigilant and proactive in preventing and combating all sabotage tricks of hostile forces; and strengthen propaganda and education, especially for the younger generation, about the traditional relations between the two countries.

According to baotintuc.vn