The Party leader was receiving a high-level delegation of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee's External Relations Commission led by Somsavat Lengsavad, Party Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Director of the Commission, in Ha Noi on May 3.

General Secretary Manh complimented the successful 8th LPRP Congress and the important achievements the Lao Party, State and people have recorded in national defence and construction cause.

He expressed his delight at the new development of the special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries over the past time. He stressed the consistency of Viet Nam in maintaining and developing the relations that were fostered by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kayson Phomvihane, and the leaders and people of the two countries.

Lengsavad conveyed the regards from LPRP General Secretary Chummaly Saynhason and Lao President Khamtay Siphandon to Manh and other Vietnamese Party and State leaders.

He complimented the successful organisation of the tenth Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) and the renovation achievements in the country.

He relayed the results of the talks between his delegation and the CPV Central Committee's External Relations Commission delegation on the morning of the same day.

He stressed that Laos would do its utmost to strengthen and intensify the relationship between the Parties, States and people of Laos and Viet Nam.

The Lao guest conveyed the Lao Party General Secretary's invitation to visit Laos to General Secretary Manh.

Manh accepted the invitation and also invited his Lao counterpart to pay a visit to Viet Nam.

In the morning of May 3, Director of the CPV CC's External Relations Commission Nguyen Van Son held talks with his Lao counterpart, Somsavat Lengsavad.

They informed of each other of the results of their parties' recently-concluded congresses -- the 10th Congress of the Communist Party of  Viet Nam and the 8th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party-- as well as recent developments in their countries.

They discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern and agreed upon measures to implement the accords agreed by the two countries' Party and State leaders and orientations for the two commissions' cooperation in the coming time.

On the occasion, Laos's Freedom Order, first class, was conferred on Hong Ha, former Party Secretary and Director of the CPV CC's External Relations Commission and the same Order, third class, was conferred on several senior officials of the External Relations Commission./.