The delegation was given a red-carpet welcome in Ha Noi on the same day by Party leader Manh and President Luong.

The two Vietnamese leaders warmly welcomed the delegation's visit and spoke highly of the Lao leader's decision to choose Viet Nam as the first country to visit after he was elected LPRP General Secretary and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. They said it indicates the warm friendship and close relations between the two Parties, two States and two people.

"The visit is importantly significant in consolidating and strengthening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the current situation," they stressed.

The Vietnamese leaders  highly valued the important achievements that the Lao people have made in their national construction and defence. They also expressed their belief that under the clear sighted leadership of the LPRP, headed by General Secretary Choumaly Sayasone, the Lao people would make greater achievements, successfully implementing resolutions of the 8th Party Congress, and building Laos into a country of peace, national independence, democracy, unification and prosperity.

The Lao leader said he appreciated the great and historical achievements and precious experiences the Vietnamese Party, State and people have made over the past 20 years of national renewal. He expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), headed by General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, the Vietnamese people would successfully implement the resolutions of the 10th Party Congress to make greater achievements and build Viet Nam into a strong socialist nation with prosperous people, and an equal, democratic and civilised society.

At the talks, the two sides informed one another of each country's situation and discussed measures to boost the relationship between the two Parties and two States in the coming time, as well as issues of common interest in the region and the world.

The two sides noted with joys the growing Viet Nam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in all fields such as politics, economics, culture, security, defence and foreign affairs.

The two sides affirmed the two Parties, two States and two peoples' determination to preserve and develop the fine traditional relationship and trust between the two countries' leaders and people fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane.

The two sides noted that regular meetings and contacts between leaders of the two Parties and the two Governments as well as at the ministerial and institutional levels have become a fine tradition. They agreed to go on with high-level meetings and expand cooperation between ministries, agencies, local administrations and business circles of the two countries. They will coordinate in celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 30th signing anniversary of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty between Viet Nam and Laos in 2007.

The two sides expressed satisfaction about bilateral cooperation and mutual assistance in external affairs as well as in information and consultancy at the United Nations, the Francophone community, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Asian-European Meeting, and other regional forums. They highlighted fine and effective cooperation in executing tasks set by the East-West corridor, the Mekong Sub-Region and the Mekong Commission. They reached a consensus to boost the existing ties, especially those within the ASEAN framework, to strengthen solidarity and cooperation in the grouping, for peace and development in Southeast Asia and the Asian-Pacific region.

The talks took place in a cordial, sincere and friendly atmosphere. General Secretary and President Choumaly Sayasone of Laos invited the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to visit Laos. His invitation was warmly accepted by the Vietnamese leaders./.