Hanoi (VNA) - The Party, State and people ofVietnam will do their best, together with the Lao counterparts, to preserve anddevelop the Vietnam-Laos special relationship, for the prosperous developmentof the two nations as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and developmentin the region and the world.

The statement was made by General Secretary ofthe Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong at areception in Hanoi on October 6 for Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, who isleading a high-ranking delegation from Laos to the funeral of former PartyGeneral Secretary Do Muoi.

Thongloun Sisoulith conveyed the deep condolences of the Lao Party, State,National Assembly, Government and Front for National Construction to theVietnamese counterparts over the passing of the former General Secretary.

He appreciated the great contributions made by Do Muoi to thestruggle for national independence as well as the cause of building, developingand defending the country. His passing is not only a great loss to the Party, Stateand people of Vietnam and his families, but also a loss of a close friend tothe Lao Party, State and people.

The Lao PM affirmed that the Party, State and people of Laoswill forever preserve and foster the traditional friendship, special solidarityand comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sincerely thanked the Lao Party,National Assembly, Government and Front for National Construction for sendingcondolences over the death of Do Muoi, senior delegations of the Lao Party andState to pay tribute to the former Party General Secretary at the VietnameseEmbassy in Laos, and especially a high-level delegation led by PM ThonglounSisoulith to Vietnam to attend the funeral of the leader.

This reflects the faithful, pure and rare special solidarity between the Parties,States and people of the two countries, as well as the sentiments of the LaoParty, State and people towards former Party General Secretary Do Muoi, hestressed.-VNA