President offers best wishes for Pi Mai

President offers best wishes for Pi Mai

Party Secretary General and President Choummaly Sayasone extended his best wis hes to all Lao citizens yesterday on the occasion of Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year), which the entire country will celebrate from April 13 to 15.

President Choummaly Sayasone.

“On the occasion of bidding farewell to the old year 2554 and welcoming the New Year 2555, I am extremely delighted to greet all my compatriots,” the President told the people in an address made at the Presidential Palace.

“On this auspicious and joyful occasion, I wish all compatriots success in your own life and that of your families, and greater achievements in your careers.”

“Especially, allow me to convey my regards and the concern of the Party and state leaders to our armed forces personnel who are engaged in the noble task of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation's land and watercourses, for the wellbeing of the Lao multi-ethnic people.”

The President asked all Lao people to celebrate Pi Mai Lao joyfully while preserving the country's fine traditions, suggesting they should celebrate with dignity and refrain from any behaviour that would bring Lao culture into disrepute.

“Also, allow me to extend my warm regards to those staff, government officials, soldiers and Lao multiethnic people who are in hospital. I hope they recover soon,” the President said. President Choummaly highlighted the achievements of the past year, saying it had been an important year, with Laos beginning the implementation of the Resolution of the 9th Party Congress and the 7th five-year national socio-economic development plan.

He said that, so far, implementation of the Resolution had seen ‘satisfactory achievements', which had been possible thanks to the active involvement of all sectors of government. Their achievements have ensured that Laos has continued to enjoy political stability, social security and public order.

President Choummaly said several important events have occurred over the past year, including grass-roots political mobilisation and a comprehensive programme of rural development, saying all social sectors must be involved in order to alleviate poverty and advance national development.

The President touched upon the consistent foreign policy of peace, independence, friendship and the cooperation of the Party and the state. The independent and peaceful foreign policy has actively contributed to positive international relations. It has created conditions favourable for the peace, stability and cooperation required to lift the status of Laos in the eyes of the rest of the world.

In the year to come, there will be more important events, including maintaining the schedule to host the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Vientiane in November.

The President called for all Lao people, especially residents of Vientiane, to increase their sense of responsibility to the country, in order to ensure the success of the Summit.

Finally, he called for compatriots across Laos as well as people of Lao descent living in other countries to consolidate their solidarity and strengthen the sense of patriotism associated with the implementation of the Resolution of the 9th Party Congress and the 7th five-year socio-economic development plan.

By Times Reporters (Latest Update April 12 , 2012)