Gen. Giang congratulated Laos, the chair of ASEAN in 2024, on the successful organization of the association's important events, emphasizing that Vietnam always supports and accompanies Laos.
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General Phan Van Giang (left) and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith |
The Vietnamese defense minister affirmed that the Party, State, military and people of Vietnam always treasure and give top priority to the relations with Laos. Vietnam always remembers the valuable support of the Lao Party, State, military and people in Vietnam’s past struggle for national independence as well as current cause of national construction and defense, especially the assistance and facilitation in the search, collection and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and advisors who laid down their lives in Laos during the war.
Gen. Giang took the occasion to inform the Lao General Secretary and President of the recent situation in Vietnam, as well as the results of cooperation between the two defense ministries over the past time. He also expressed his hope that the Lao party chief would continue to support and create favorable conditions for the two defense ministries and militaries to strengthen their cooperation, making defense cooperation a key pillar in the Vietnam-Laos relations.
For his part, Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith spoke highly of the meeting between the two defense ministers, expressed his delight at the strong development in the bilateral defense ties between the two countries over the past time. He affirmed that the cooperation is an important pillar of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
The Lao president also required the two countries’ defense ministries to further promote their traditions and successfully complete political tasks, while closely coordinating with each other to implement the protocols, programs, and cooperation plans between the two sides, as well as widely disseminating the historical significance and the importance of the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity in the whole military.
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General Phan Van Giang and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone |
* On the same day, General Phan Van Giang paid a courtesy visit on Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane capital.
Gen. Giang affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to preserving and promoting the special, loyal and steadfast relationship with Laos that has been cultivated by former generations of the two countries.
On this occasion, the Vietnamese defense leader informed the Lao Prime Minister about the results of cooperation between the two ministries over the past time, notably the successful results of the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange held last October.
He also hoped that the Lao PM would direct functional agencies to create favorable conditions for and closely coordinate with the two countries’ defense ministries to implement the contents of defense cooperation in a comprehensive, effective and substantive manner.
For his part, Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone affirmed that Laos always values and remembers Vietnam’s support in its past struggle for national liberation, as well as the country's development today.
He underscored that defense cooperation is always one of the important pillars in the Laos-Vietnam relations and the promotion of defense ties with Vietnam is one of Laos' top priorities.
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General Phan Van Giang and Lao Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister General Chansamone Chanyalath |
* Earlier, General Phan Van Giang met with Lao Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister General Chansamone Chanyalath.
During the meeting, the two generals informed each other of the recent situations in their respective countries. The two ministers affirmed that the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange created a widespread effect, receiving high praise from the senior leaders, departments, ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries.
They agreed to closely coordinate in the implementation of the Protocol on defense cooperation for the 2025-2029 period and the signed cooperation plan for 2025, focusing on a number of key contents.
On the occasion, General Phan Van Giang invited General Chansamone Chanyalath and leaders of the Lao Ministry of National Defense to the 80th anniversary of the foundation of Vietnam People’s Army, 35th anniversary of the Whole-people’s Border Defense Festive Day, and the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024; and welcome the participation of Lao defense enterprises in the expo.
Translated by Quynh Oanh