Lao leader hails growing relationship with Vietnam; Vietnam backs int’l assistance to socio-economic development in West Africa; Vietnam hails positive developments in Lebanon

Photo: VNA

Lao Party General Secretary and State President, Choummali Saignason, made the remark while receiving a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, headed by To Huy Rua, Politburo member and Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee (CPVCC).

Mr. Rua, who is also Head of the CPVCC’s Commission for Information and Education, informed his host of the results of the seminar on the life and revolutionary career of late Lao President Souphanouvong, held in the capital city of Vientiane on July 7 to mark his 100th birthday (July 13).

The workshop gathered a wide range of valuable documents to support research and provide information about President Souphanouvong, as well as a collection of history books on the special relationship between the two countries.

Mr. Saignason applauded the delegation’s visit to Laos, saying that President Souphanouvong was a devoted student of President Ho Chi Minh and a close friend of the fraternal Vietnamese people.

During their talks, host and guest spent time discussing the impact of the global economic and financial crisis on the economy of each country.

They also looked into preparations for Party Congresses at all levels in anticipation of the National Party Congresses of Vietnam and Laos scheduled for early 2011.

Earlier, Mr. Rua met with his Lao counterpart, Phanduangchith Vongsa, who briefed him on Laos’s socio-economic development and the dissemination of information about the country’s Party Congress at grassroots-level in the lead up to the National Party Congress.

The officials exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual concern, and pledged to work together closely to complete the compilation of history books on Vietnam-Laos special relations.

Vietnam backs int’l assistance to socio-economic development in West Africa

Vietnam supports the important role played by the United Nations, the Peacebuilding Commission, the AU, and other international organisations in supporting the West African nations in addressing the root causes of conflicts, tackling cross-border challenges and promoting socio-economic development.

Vietnam hails positive developments in Lebanon

Vietnam hails positive developments over the past three months in Lebanon, while remains concerned about a number of unresolved issues that hinder an agreement on a permanent ceasefire between the two parties.

Vietnamese Ambassador and deputy representative to the UN Security Council Bui The Giang made the remarks at a UNSC consultation meeting on the implementation of Resolution 1701 on Lebanon in New York on July 8.

He said he is pleased to see “the generally stable situation in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)’s area of operations, the progress in the continued tripartite cooperation between the parties and UNIFIL to visibly mark the Blue Line, the handover to UNIFIL of technical strike data for the cluster bombs used by Israeli military forces in the 2006 war, and the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria.”

The Vietnamese diplomat took the occasion to congratulate the Lebanese people on the successful conduct of the parliamentary elections in early June and call upon all parties in Lebanon to build on the momentum of reconciliation and unity recorded thus far in the National Dialogue to proceed with an early and smooth formation of a new Government.

Regarding the unresolved issues, Giang urged the parties to translate their commitment into concrete and tangible steps to implement Resolution 1701 on Lebanon.

“We reiterate our support for the collective efforts by the United Nations, the League of Arab States, regional countries and the international community aimed at a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of relevant Security Council resolutions, of which respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon represents an integral part,” said the Vietnamese ambassador.

VietNamNet/VNA