Lao people deeply mourn the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

In an interview with a Vietnam News Agency reporter in Vientiane, former General Secretary and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone expressed his sadness and deep regret at the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, a close friend of the Lao people, as well as of himself.

Mr. Choummaly Sayasone said that the passing of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong - a respected and honorable leader - is a great loss for the Party, State and people of Vietnam, as well as the Party, State and people of Laos.

Sharing about the years working with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, former General Secretary and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone affirmed that comrade Nguyen Phu Trong is an exemplary cadre of the Party and State of Vietnam, a leader who is trusted by the people.

He inherited the tradition of the great President Ho Chi Minh, who laid a solid foundation for the Laos-Vietnam relationship, together with President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong, continuing to develop the special relationship and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

Mr. Choummaly Sayasone himself is very close to Vietnamese comrades, having fought in the same trenches during the period of resistance against France and the US.

Former General Secretary and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone emphasized that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is the one who brought invaluable feelings and lessons to him as well as the Lao Party and State.

In the context of the complicated world situation, together with other leaders, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has given many profound instructions and led the Communist Party of Vietnam to put forth wise and flexible policies, helping Vietnam overcome all obstacles and increasingly have more strategic friends.

He led the Vietnamese revolution to develop, step by step firmly entering a new stage, gaining more foreign investment cooperation, improving people's lives, and continuously developing the country.

Currently in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam is one of the leading countries in economic development.

Former General Secretary and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone assessed that Vietnam has made great strides in development with an increasingly high position in ASEAN in particular and in the world in general.

This demonstrates the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, which has helped Vietnam develop further.

Former General Secretary and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone affirmed that he had learned a lot from comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, especially in Party building, cadre training, and resolving negative phenomena, especially internal ones.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has been very resolute in dealing with the wrongdoings of some leaders at all levels, determined to thoroughly resolve the problem, even if it is a high-ranking leader.

He emphasized that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a person who is devoted to the revolutionary cause of Vietnam, exemplary in practical actions and in all fields.

Recalling his time working with comrade Nguyen Phu Trong from 2011-2015, former General Secretary and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone said that what he remembered most, was most impressed with and learned the most was the viewpoint on building political bases and developing new rural areas - lessons that helped Vietnam succeed. Laos learned and built the "3 builds" policy, similar to Vietnam, and also built and developed rural areas.

This shows that the two Parties and two socio-economic systems have similarities, similar basic development, and that Laos can apply Vietnam's lessons. These are things that the Lao people will never forget.

Mr. Choummaly Sayasone recalled that comrade Nguyen Phu Trong once visited Attapeu province, encouraged Vietnamese enterprises to invest in the locality, helping to develop the economy and build a new rural face for Attapeu province.

Currently, the Lao and Vietnamese governments are still having many economic cooperation projects. Former General Secretary and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone believes that these projects will certainly be successful, helping to develop the economy and bring a better life to the people of each country.

According to him, during the leadership of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, the cooperation between the two governments of Laos and Vietnam was in line with the direction of President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane, helping each other to cooperate comprehensively and have special solidarity.

Former General Secretary and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone affirmed that this is very special, only Laos and Vietnam have it, and emphasized that the two countries need to preserve and continue to develop the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

Mr. Choummaly Sayasone expressed his gratitude to the Party and State of Vietnam for always providing Laos with assistance, in the past and at present.

With a close emotional relationship, former General Secretary and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone sent his deepest condolences to the family of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, saying that the Lao people also deeply mourn the passing of the General Secretary.

Mr. Choummaly Sayasone also promised to continue educating the younger generation to learn from the exemplary example of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

He believes that other Vietnamese leaders will continue to preserve, nurture and develop the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, and between Vietnam and Laos, so that it will last forever and grow.