Leaders congratulate newly-elected general secretary of Lao Party

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Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith was elected as the new General Secretary of the country's ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee at the communist party's 11th congress held in the capital Vientiane on Friday (Jan 15). Photo: Reuters

In his message, the Vietnamese leader said the election of comrade Thongloun Sisoulith shows the trust the Lao Party and people have in him and the recognition of his great contributions to the Lao revolution, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

Trong expressed his belief that that under the leadership of the LPRP and the General Secretary, the fraternal Lao people will continue to grasp new and greater successes in the cause of reform and successfully implement the Resolution of the LPRP’s 11th National Congress, thus building a nation of peace, independence, democracy, unification, and prosperity towards the goal of socialism.

He underlined that the Party, State and people of Viet Nam will work hard to join hands with the Party, State and people of Laos to maintain and reinforce the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, making bilateral ties deeper and more practical and effective in all areas, benefiting the people of both countries and for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

The Vietnamese leader expressed his hope that the great Viet Nam-Laos friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation will be sustainable forever.

Photo: Aseanthai.net

On this occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also extended congratulations to Sisoulith who was elected as the new General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee during the first meeting of the committee on January 15.

Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan extended her congratulations to Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotu on being re-elected to the LPRP’s Politburo.

Standing member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong also congratulated comrade Bunthong Chitmani on being elected as Standing member of the 11th LPRP Central Committee’s Secretariat.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh sent a message of congratulations to comrade Saleumsay Kommasith on his election as member of the LPRP Politburo.

Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan also extended his congratulations to comrade Sounthone Sayachak on being elected to the 11th LPRP Central Committee’s Secretariat.

Thongloun, 75, was elected to a five-year term as head of the party central committee – the top post in the country, the Vientiane Times said.

Its party congress also chose 13 members of the Politburo, Laos' top political body, and 71 party Central Committee members, it said.

People wear face masks to prevent coronavirus in Vientiane. Photo: Xinhua/VNA

Thongloun takes charge as the landlocked Southeast Asian country faces challenges from a potential debt default and the global impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on its fragile, $18 billion economy.

On January 14, Thongloun outlined a new five-year socio-economic plan targeting annual economic growth of 4 percent up to 2025 and aims to reach annual average per capita income of $2,887 in 2025.

The country of more than 7 million people has a current per capita income of just over $2,500, according to World Bank data.

As prime minister since 2016 and a former foreign minister, Thongloun has been the face of the country at international events and summits, including giving addresses to the United Nations General Assembly.

The LPRP, which was founded on March 22, 1955 and formerly called the Lao People's Party, convenes its national congress every five years.

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