Vientiane (VNA) – Laos always values and remembers the selfless and sincere support and assistance of Vietnam, affirmed Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone while meeting with Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang in Vientiane on October 14.
Giang, who is also a Politburo member and Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission, was on a visit to Laos to attend the annual meeting of the defence ministers of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia and a joint rescue and disaster relief exercise among the three countries' armed forces.
He affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the tremendous, sincere, and valuable support that the Party, State, army, and people of Laos have extended to Vietnam during its struggles for national independence in the past as well as in the cause of national construction and defence at present, especially their assistance in searching for, collecting, and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives in Laos during wartime.
The Vietnamese minister briefed the hosts on Vietnam’s recent developments, the outcomes of defence cooperation between the two countries, and the results of his talks on the same day earlier with his Lao counterpart Senior Lieutenant General Khamliang Outhakaysone.
He showed his belief that the annual meeting of the three defence ministers and the joint rescue and disaster relief exercise will further deepen the solidarity and close ties among the three countries and their militaries in particular, contributing to implementing outcomes of the high-level meeting among the leaders of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, and the Cambodian People’s Party.
He hoped the Lao Party and State, and Government leaders to continue directing relevant agencies to create favourable conditions for and closely coordinate with the two defence ministries in implementing comprehensive, effective, and substantive defence cooperation. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence will work closely with its Lao counterpart to ensure the full and effective realisation of all agreed cooperation areas.
Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang (L) and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at their meeting in Vientiane on October 14 (Photo: VNA)
The hosts extended their deep condolences to the Vietnamese people over the heavy losses in lives and property caused by recent storms and floods. They said they believed that under the close leadership and guidance of the Vietnamese Party and Government, the people in disaster-affected areas will overcome difficulties and soon normalise their lives.
Laos always values and remembers Vietnam’s wholehearted and selfless support during its struggles for national liberation and in the current development, Lao PM Siphandone stated, stressing that strengthening defence cooperation with Vietnam remains one of Laos’s top priorities.
Meanwhile, Thongloun Sisoulith expressed his delight at the fruitful development of the special Laos–Vietnam relationship, and thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, Army, and people for their timely, substantial, and effective support have consistently given to Laos.
The Lao Party and State leader urged the two countries’ armies to continue closely coordinate and effectively implement protocols, programmes, and cooperation plans so that defence cooperation remains a key pillar of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
In their talks earlier the same day in Vientiane, Giang and Outhakaysone agreed to strengthen coordination in promoting communications and education on the history, significance, and importance of the great Vietnam–Laos relationship, especially among young people; prioritise human resources training as a long-term strategic pillar to strengthen the special realtions between two countries and their militaries; and expand cooperation in logistics, technical support, and IT capacity and infrastructure development.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining mutual support at multilateral forums and the annual meeting of the three defence ministers and the joint rescue and disaster relief exercise among the armed forces of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to further deepen their traditional solidarity.
Giang stressed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence stands ready to support its Lao counterpart in organising the 50th anniversary of National Day this year. On this occasion, it will present the Lao side with three VinFast-branded command e-vehicles, and Vietnamese-made fireworks produced by its defence industry to mark this historic event, he said.
The two officials expressed confidence that the annual meeting of the three defence ministers and the joint rescue and disaster relief exercise on October 15 will be a great success, contributing to further deepening the solidarity and close ties among the three countries and their militaries.
Following their talks, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on strengthening defence cooperation in human resources training and development./.
