(KPL/VNA) A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army Sen. Lieut. Gen Le Quang Minh visited the Lao Embassy in Hanoi on March 21 to congratulate its officials and staff on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (March 22).

Minh hailed the LPRP’s founding in 1955 as a historic turning point that ushered in a heroic chapter in Laos’ fight for national liberation and its efforts to build and protect the homeland.

He also praised the LPRP’s steadfast leadership, which not only secured glorious victories against colonial and imperial forces, preserved independence and territorial integrity, but also drove notable progress in national development.

Expressing delight at the Laos’ tremendous achievements under the LPRP’s leadership, he affirmed that the special solidarity between the two countries’ Parties, States, and people is an invaluable asset and a fundamental principle for their survival and development.

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence always highly values its cooperation with the Lao counterpart, considering it one of the key pillars of bilateral relations, he said, adding that both sides have effectively rolled out numerous practical defence cooperation activities over the past years.

Lao Vice Ambassador to Vietnam Latana Sihalaj, in response, affirmed that the Lao Party, State, Government, army and people are always grateful to the Vietnamese counterparts’ unwavering support throughout their journey, from its past struggles for independence and unification to its ongoing efforts in national construction, defence, and development.

Affirming the unique, exemplary and rare nature of Laos-Vietnam relationship, Sihalaj spoke highly of the close and meaningful cooperation between the two defence ministries in recent years, calling it crucial to further strengthen and deepen the Laos-Vietnam partnership.

KPL