(VNF) - The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association (VLFA) and its chapters at all levels will continue to do their utmost to nurture the friendship and special solidarity between the two countries, said VUFO Vice President.

VUFO Vice President in-charge cum Secretary General Don Tuan Phong made the pledge when receiving Somphanh Phengkhammy, National Assembly Vice Chairman and President of the Committee for Peace and Solidarity of Laos, in Hanoi on August 22^nd as part of the latter’s ongoing visit.

Don Tuan Phong, VUFO Vice President in-charge cum Secretary General welcome Somphanh Phengkhammy, National Assembly Vice Chairman and President of the Committee for Peace and Solidarity of Laos.

At the reception, VUFO Vice President expressed his pleasure to welcome the Lao delegation.

Phong took the occasion to inform the guest that the VUFO, the VLFA and its chapters at all levels have held various activities to make the 55^th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties (September 5^th, 1962-2017) and 40 years since the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18^th, 1977-2017).

Recently, in July, the VLFA and Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association (LVFA) jointly organised the Laos – Vietnam People's Friendship Festival in Vientiane and Xieng Khouang. The Vietnamese side has sent 55 delegates to Laos for two countries’ 55^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Soon, the Vietnamese side will welcome 40 members of Lao families that protected Vietnamese soldiers during the wartime to attend the celebrations. These 40 people represented the 40^th anniversary of the the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

The VUFO Vice President affirmed that the VUFO, VLFA and its chapters at all levels will continue to their utmost to contribute to the development of friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

Appreciating VUFO leader’s warm welcome, Somphanh Phengkhammy, who is also Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group, praised the activities held by the VUFO and the VLFA, as well as its chapters, across all levels.

He expressed his hope that the two sides will enhance exchange activities and mutual learning to ensure more effective cooperation between the two countries, contributing to consolidating the traditional friendship and solidarity between the Lao people and Vietnamese brothers, for the benefit of the people of each country, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The Lao official expressed his hope that the cooperation between his committee and Vietnam’s organisations will be deepened, helping to consolidate the Vietnam-Laos friendship.

At the reception, the two sides exchanged information on the situation and activities of the VUFO and the Committee for Peace and Solidarity of Laos and sharing experience on the activities of social organizations, foreign non-governmental organisations in each country.

Earlier, on the same day, the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity met with Uong Chu Luu, member of the Party Central Committee, National Assembly Vice Chairman, President of the Peace Committee of Vietnam and many other leaders of the Committee./.

Translated by Phuong Nguyen