Presidium,

Ambassadors, delegates, distinguished guests attending the seminar today,

Firstly, please allow me to express my special thanks to the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics for inviting me to the seminar today, and I would also like to congratulate the Academy on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Academy’s establishment. Before I discuss the cooperation in training and fostering leaders between Vietnam and Laos as well as the training of Laotian cadres at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, please allow me to talk about the tradition of cooperation between the two countries first. As popularly known, Laos and Vietnam have a long history of cooperation which have been cultivated and preserved through generations. The cooperation between the two countries is not only in some areas but comprehensive in all areas. As shared earlier by Assoc. Prof., Dr. Le Quoc Ly, the two countries have had a lot of cooperation projects in many fields, including the “Translating the Ho Chi Minh Complete Works” project, the “Upgrading the facilities of the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration” project, etc.. A vivid example of such comprehensive cooperation is the regular exchange of delegations in all fields every year. Especially, in the first 6 months of 2019, hundreds of delegations have visited for work in Vietnam. In particular, our two parties successfully organized the theorical seminar which the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics attended and contributed reports.

As for cooperation in the field of cadres training and fostering, I would like to share with everyone that about 14,000 Laotian students are currently studying in Vietnam. In particular, hundreds of students are trained in master, doctoral-level or short-term training courses at the Academy. All the Laotian cadres studying at the Academy are mid and high-ranking cadres at the central and local levels of the Party and the State of Laos. After graduating from the Academy and returning to the country, they hold important positions in Laos’ political system such as Secretary of the Party Civil Affairs Committee, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister, Deputy Minister of central Ministries and Divisions, etc.. I would like to express our gratitude to the Academy for supporting us in training and fostering our important leaders and managers.

Once again, congratulations to the Academy on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Academy’s establishment. I wish the Academy’s Directorate and the seminar participants good health, happiness and success in your field of work.

Thank you!

H.E.Mr.Thong Sa Vanh Phom Vi Han

Ambassador of the Lao PDR