The Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee on May 13 sent a message of condolences to their Lao counterparts over the recent passing of former Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (first from left) leads a high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend state funeral of former Lao Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh. (Photo: VNA)

General Sisavath Keobounphanh passed away on May 12. He served as a member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee from the 1^st to 8^th tenures, Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee for the 3^rd and 4^th terms, and a member of the Politburo during the 4^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th tenures.

He was also Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and Minister of Interior before serving as Vice President of Laos from 1996 – 1998 and Prime Minister from 1998 – 2001. He was also former Chairman of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Central Committee.

The condolence message wrote that the Vietnamese Party, State and people highly appreciated General Sisavath Keobounphanh’s great contributions to the Lao people's past struggle for national independence as well as in the current process of national reform, protection, construction and development.

His death was a huge loss to the Lao Party, State and people, and his family, wrote the message, adding that the Vietnamese Party, State and people lost a close friend and comrade who made very important contributions to establishing, reinforcing and developing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos.

The Vietnamese Party, State and people believed that their Lao counterparts will soon overcome this great loss and continue striving to build a more prosperous Laos.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh extended his condolences to Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith.

President of the VFF Central Committee Tran Thanh Man cabled a message of condolences to Chairman of the LFNC Central Committee Saysomphone Phomvihane.

Chairman of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan, and Minister - Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung also sent messages of condolences to Chairman of the LPRP Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Sounthone Xayachack, and Minister - Chairman of the Lao Government Office Phet Phomphiphak, respectively.

Source: VNA