Vietnam, Laos tighten bilateral relations

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien (R) presents gifts to Lao Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Chanthaphone Khammanichanh on the occasion of Laos' Bunpimay festival. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. HoangXuan Chien hosted a reception in Hanoi on April 5 for Lao Deputy Ambassador toVietnam Chanthaphone Khammanichanh, during which he appreciated defencecooperation between the two countries, especially between their militaryregions and border guard forces.

Chien affirmed that the year 2022 is of significance as itmarks the 60th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and 45 yearssince the two nations signed the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation.

The Ministry of National Defence has built a plan to organise nearly 30activities in celebration of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year2022, he said.

The Deputy Minister proposed the two sides continue implementing this year’scooperation plan, particularly in ensuring security and safety in border areas,fighting crimes and illegal migration, responding to natural disasters anddiseases as well as non-traditional security challenges. He added that theVietnamese ministry also hopes to intensify joint activities with the Lao andCambodian defence ministries.

Chanthaphone thanked the support of theVietnamese Ministry of National Defence and the Vietnam People’s Army over the past time.

He told the host that Laos set up a national steeringcommittee for the Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year, and the defenceministry also established a steering committee for carrying out activities onthis occasion./.

VNA