The Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Lao National Assembly, the President of Laos, the Lao Government, the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction, and the people of Lao ethnic groups expressed deep condolences over the passing of the Vietnamese Party leader, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Lao leaders praised General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong for his devotion to important work in the cause of national liberation, national unification and the reformation of the Vietnamese Communist Party, especially in building a strong and clean Party, as well as preventing and combating corruption and negativity, helping Vietnam to continuously develop and enhance its position in the region and the world.

"The Party, State and people of Laos lost an extremely close and dear comrade. Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong is a revolutionary leader in the new era, the successor of President Ho Chi Minh, who has made great, valuable and important contribution to strengthening and cultivating the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, the two states and the peoples of Laos and Vietnam during the past time," the telegram said.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China sent a message of condolences saying: "The Communist Party of China and the Chinese people lost a good comrade, a good brother, a good friend. We send our deepest condolences and most sincere regards to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the state and people of Vietnam."

China's Party Central Committee described General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as a close comrade and sincere friend of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, who inherited and promoted the traditional comrades-plus-brothers friendship between the two Parties and countries, creating a deep friendship with the Communist Party of China and China's leaders.

"Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary Xi Jinping raised China-Vietnam relations to a Community of common destiny of strategic significance, promoting the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to move forward continuously. The Chinese Party, State and people will forever remember comrade Nguyen Phu Trong. Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong lives forever with us!", the committee said.

Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen sent a letter expressing his "extreme sadness."

"Comrade General Secretary has consolidated the strong fraternal friendship with Cambodia and persistently made efforts over the years to enhance close cooperation not only between the Cambodian People's Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam, but between the two governments and people of our two countries," he said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Cambodian National Assembly Chairman Khuon Sudary also sent letters of condolences.

General Raúl Castro Ruz and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz Canel-Bermúdez sent a letter expressing their deepest condolences to the family of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Vietnamese people.

"The passing of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong is an irreparable loss for Cuba. Cuba will always remember comrade Nguyen Phu Trong as a great brother who tirelessly promoted the special friendly relations between the two Parties, the two National Assemblies, the two governments and the people of our two countries," the letter said.

Cuban leaders called the General Secretary a "dear friend", mentioning his important visit to Cuba in March 2018, especially the memorable moments during his trip to Santiago de Cuba to pay homage to the late President Fidel Castro Ruz.

"We would like to reiterate to comrade To Lam our support and solidarity, along with our steadfast will to continue strengthening the unbreakable brotherly bond that connects Cuba and Vietnam. We would like to send you a hug of friendship and most respectful greetings," the Cuban leaders said, addressing Vietnam's state president.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a letter of condolences, saying Russia will remember General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as "a true friend who made great personal contributions to the establishment and development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Moscow and Hanoi."

"I had the opportunity to meet that wonderful person many times and will forever remain impressed," Putin said.

Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of Russia, also sent letters of condolences.

"A great friend of Russia, an experienced political activist, and a famous state leader has passed away. In the highest state position, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has made many contributions to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Russia, as well as the cooperation between the two countries' parliaments," said Matviyenko.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away due to old age and serious illness at 1:38 p.m. on Friday in Hanoi, aged 80. Vietnam's Party Central Committee, National Assembly, president, government, and Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front will issue a special announcement on the organization of a state funeral.

Source: VnExpress