At the beginning of the meeting, Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith expressed his joy at returning to visit Ho Chi Minh City and meeting former President Nguyen Minh Triet and former President Truong Tan Sang.

Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the sentiments and great contributions of the two former Presidents to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos; and recalled memories of their visits to Laos as well as their meetings.

The Lao General Secretary and President affirmed that Laos will, together with Vietnam, continue to preserve, cultivate and pass on to future generations the fine traditions of the special Vietnam-Laos relationship.

The Lao General Secretary and President also informed about the recent situation in Laos, achievements in Vietnam-Laos cooperation and the results of talks, meetings and conferences with volunteer soldiers, former experts, overseas students and young generations of the two countries in Hanoi.

Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith respectfully conveyed the warm regards of the former Party Chairmen and former Presidents of Laos to the two former Presidents.

Former President Nguyen Minh Triet and former President Truong Tan Sang affirmed that the visit of the Lao Party General Secretary and President will contribute to further deepening the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos in the context that the two Parties and two countries are actively implementing the Congress Resolution of each Party and preparing for the new National Party Congress.

Former President Nguyen Minh Triet and former President Truong Tan Sang recalled the memories and feelings that Lao high-ranking leaders and the Lao people have had for them up to now, expressing their hope and belief that the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos will increasingly develop to new heights.

On the same evening, Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen will chair a meeting with the delegation led by the General Secretary and President of Laos. The event will take place solemnly at the Thong Nhat Hall (Ben Nghe Ward, District 1).