Colonel Tao Van Thai speaks at the celebration in Vientiane (Photo: nhandan.com.vn) Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnam’s defence attaché agency in Laos held a ceremony in Vientiane on December 20 to mark the 72nd founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944).
The event was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Manh Hung, Lao Defence Minister Chansamone Chanyalath, officers of Lao Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Public Security, and representatives of other countries’ defence attaché agencies in Laos.
Reviewing the glorious history of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), Colonel Tao Van Thai – head of the Vietnamese agency – stressed that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the VPA has grown up and, together with the Vietnamese people, obtained great achievements in the struggle for national liberation in the past and in national development and protection nowadays.
The VPA has made substantial strides in 2016, especially in protecting the country’s independence, sovereignty, unification, and territorial integrity, keeping peace and stability for national development while helping to ensure security and promote cooperation and development in the region and around the world, he said.
He noted this year has also witnessed enormous attainments in national development and protection of both Vietnam and Laos. They have enjoyed firm progress in the traditional friendship, special unity and comprehensive cooperation between their Parties, States and peoples. The two countries have also seen their defence-military cooperation growing substantively this year.
Thai voiced his belief that with the resolutions of the 12th congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the 10th congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, and the outcomes of mutual visits by their leaders, bilateral relations will be continuously intensified.
On behalf of the Vietnamese Defence Ministry, he also thanked the Lao Party, State, people and army for supporting the countries’ defence-military cooperation, along with the VPA and the defence attaché agency in Laos.-VNA
VNA
