Vietnam, Laos bolster defence cooperation

At the meeting between Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) and Sen. Lieut. Gen. Thongloi Silivong, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chairman of the Lao People’s Army (LPA)’s General Department of Politics, in Hanoi on September 26. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang received visitingSen. Lieut. Gen. Thongloi Silivong, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chairman ofthe Lao People’s Army (LPA)’s General Department of Politics, in Hanoi onSeptember 26.

Giang stressed that Vietnam always bears in mind Laos's support and assistance in its past struggle for national independence and reunification and the present cause of national construction, and attaches importance to consolidating andstrengthening its great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensivecooperation with Laos.

Notably, practical and effective defence cooperation isalways one of the important pillars in the relations between the two countries, heaffirmed.

Thongloi affirmed to make every effort, together with the LaoMinistry of National Defence, to effectively implement the annual cooperationplan with the Vietnamese counterpart, thereby contributing to consolidating anddeveloping the bilateral relationship.

Giang appreciated the results ofcomprehensive cooperation between the two armies, especially in coordinating the implementation of common perceptions of senior leaders on military and defence tasks, Party and political works; and effectivelymaintain exchange, dialogue and twinning mechanisms.

He proposed the two sides coordinate in protecting the borderline of peace and stability to contribute to improving the materialand spiritual lives of people in border areas and promoting cross-border trade.

Earlier the same day, Gen. Luong Cuong, Chairman of the VPA’s General Department ofPolitics, hosted a welcome ceremony for and held talks with Sen. Lieut. Gen.Thongloi Silivong.

Gen. Luong Cuong, Chairman of the VPA’s General Department of Politics, and Sen. Lieut. Gen. Thongloi Silivong inspect the guard of honour. (Photo: VNA)

At the talks, Cuong said that the Party, State and army ofVietnam always treasure relations with Laos, consider this a top priority in thecountry’s foreign policy, and always wish to work with the Lao sides tocontinuously strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, people and armies.

The two sides agreed that defence cooperation should be implemented effectively in line with the common perceptions of high-levelleaders, and the outcomes of the September 6 meeting between the three Partyleaders of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

They also vowed to step up cooperation between agencies and units through delegation exchanges, and intensifycoordination and mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms,particularly those led by ASEAN.

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence and the VPA are willing toshare experience with and support the Lao sides to successfully assume the roleas the Chair of the military and defence meetings in 2024 when Laos holds theASEAN Chairmanship, Cuong said.

At the talks between Gen. Luong Cuong, Chairman of the VPA’s General Department of Politics, and Sen. Lieut. Gen. Thongloi Silivong. (Photo: VNA)

Cuong also affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State arealways steadfast in the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance,multilateralisation and diversification and the “Four Nos” defence policy - neither joining any military alliances, siding with one country againstanother, giving any other countries permission to set up military bases or useits territory to carry out military activities against other nations, norusing force or threatening to use force in international relations./.

VNA