Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of National Defence Gen.Ngo Xuan Lich had a meeting with his Lao counterpart Gen. Chansamone Chanyalathin Hanoi on February 18 within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’Meeting Retreat (ADMM Retreat).
Welcoming the Lao People’s Army delegation tothe ADMM Retreat held from February 18 to 20, the host said this is animportant meeting that will set the directions for ASEAN defence and militarycooperation for 2020 and the following years, as well as contribute to thesuccess of the ADMM Plus.
Vietnam hopes Laos and other ASEAN members willjoin hands to consolidate defence – military cooperation mechanisms and buildan ASEAN Community that is cohesive and responsive to external factors in linewith the theme “Defence cooperation for a cohesive and responsive ASEAN” for2020 chosen by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, Lich noted.
For his part, Minister Chanyalath highly valuedthe Vietnamese ministry’s preparations for the ADMM Retreat and military –defence activities during the year the country holds the ASEAN chairmanship.
Although the ADMM Treat takes place amid theCOVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam has played an active role in disease prevention soas to help participating delegation feel secure, he added.
The Lao official expressed his belief that underthe chair of Vietnam in 2020, the ADMM and ADMM Plus cooperation mechanismswill continue affirming their important role in the regional securityarchitecture.
At the meeting, the two sides shared the viewthat defence cooperation is always considered one of the key pillars inVietnam-Laos relations.
They agreed to coordinate closely in directingthe countries’ agencies and units to fully and effectively implement theprotocol on defence cooperation for 2020-2024 and annual cooperation plans./.
VNA