General Secretary To Lam led the Vietnamese delegation to visit comrade Khamtay Siphandone.

General Secretary To Lam announced that, in gratitude for Comrade Khamtay Siphandone's contributions to the development of the close and enduring Vietnam-Laos relationship, the Vietnamese Party and State have decided to hold a state funeral.

General Secretary To Lam led a high-level delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State to pay respects to former Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and former President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Khamtay Siphandone. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

On April 3rd, upon learning of the passing of Comrade General Khamtay Siphandone, former Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, former President and former Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, General Secretary To Lam led a high-level delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State to pay their respects to Comrade Khamtay Siphandone.

On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam also held meetings with General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone.

On behalf of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, General Secretary To Lam expressed his sorrow at the passing of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone and extended his deepest condolences to the senior leaders of Laos, the entire Lao people, and the family of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone.

General Secretary To Lam emphasized that Comrade Khamtay Siphandone was not only an outstanding leader of the first generation that built the Lao revolution, leading the previous national democratic revolution and the cause of protecting and developing the country, a pioneering leader in implementing the comprehensive reform line of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, but also a loyal, devoted, and steadfast friend and comrade who always stood shoulder to shoulder with Vietnam throughout the struggle to protect the homeland and build the country of both nations.

General Secretary To Lam offered condolences to the bereaved family of Khamtay Siphandone, former Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and former President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

His passing is a great loss to the Party, the State, and the people of both Laos and Vietnam.

The senior leaders of Laos sincerely thanked the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for their condolences on the passing of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, expressing their emotion at General Secretary To Lam leading the high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the memorial service and Vietnam's decision to hold a state funeral for Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, demonstrating the great traditional relationship and special, loyal, and close solidarity between the two countries, as well as the personal feelings of General Secretary To Lam and the Vietnamese leaders.

This is a great encouragement and expression of solidarity from the Party, State, and people of Vietnam to the Party, State, and people of Laos.

General Secretary To Lam meets with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

On behalf of the family, Comrade Sonexay Siphandone sincerely thanked and highly appreciated General Secretary To Lam and the high-level delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State for being the first delegation to offer condolences to the Lao Party, State, and family on the passing of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, demonstrating the close relationship and extremely deep affection for his beloved father - the great leader of the Lao Party, State, and people.

In a solemn and emotional atmosphere, General Secretary To Lam and the Lao leaders together recalled the glorious revolutionary career of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone since he joined the Indochinese Communist Party, especially his activities closely associated with the Vietnamese revolution and with the pioneering leaders of the Vietnamese revolution. They affirmed that these were vivid manifestations of the rare and unwavering bond between the two Parties, the two States, and the revolutionary cause of the two nations.

General Secretary To Lam meets with General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

Lao senior leaders affirmed that although Comrade Khamtay Siphandone has passed away, the next generations of Lao leaders will continue to work with Vietnamese Party and State leaders to strengthen and cultivate the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos, which President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, President Souphanouvong, and successive generations of leaders of both countries have painstakingly built and are developing ever further.

General Secretary To Lam highly appreciated Laos's active preparations for Party Congresses at all levels, leading up to the 12th National Congress at the beginning of next year, emphasizing that the streamlining and reorganization of Laos's apparatus is an extremely important task and a positive sign contributing to promoting Laos' development in the new period; he also affirmed Vietnam's readiness to continue supporting and assisting Laos in the cause of national construction, protection, and development.

Expressing gratitude for the support of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for the Lao revolution, senior Lao leaders stated that Laos is studying and applying lessons learned from Vietnam, resolutely reforming to meet the needs of national development and improve the quality of life for its people.

During the meetings, both sides highly appreciated the positive progress in bilateral relations; agreed to regularly exchange delegations at all levels, especially at the high level; and continued to coordinate the effective implementation of agreements reached, including the results of the meeting between the three leaders of the Parties of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. They affirmed that Vietnam and Laos need to stand side by side, support and assist each other to the best of their abilities to nurture the great friendship and special bond between the two Parties, two States, and two peoples, ensuring it remains ever-lasting and continues to bear fruit.

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