At the talks, the two sides reviewed the outcomes of the 2016 cooperation program and discuss measures to boost defense cooperation in 2017 between the Vietnamese Defense Ministry and the Lao Defense Ministry.

The two defense ministers agreed that defense agencies and military units of the two sides with a high sense of responsibility, made great efforts to deploy and implement the contents of the signed Protocol and Plan on defense cooperation between the two defense ministries, and as a result reached all set targets.

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 At the talks

The two sides actively promoted information dissemination and education for troops of the two militaries on the traditional good friendly relationship, special unity and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, States, armies and people.

Relevant agencies and units of the two sides coordinated closely with each other in successfully organizing the Western Truong Son Range Exhibition program in Vientiane and Savannakhet province. The program is considered a seen as significant activity, contributing to popularizing and educating the traditional good friendship between the two armies and peoples.

The two defense ministers also expressed pleasures over fruitful results of the bilateral personnel training cooperation, and over positive developments in coordination and cooperation between the two sides’ military units stationed along the shared border of the two countries. Meanwhile, the twin models between military units and localities of the two sides along the shared border have also become increasingly effective, contributing to firmly protecting national sovereignty and ensuring security, social order and safety in border areas of the two countries, as well as creating favorable conditions for residents of border areas of the two countries to boost trade and business activities.

The two sides have also coordinated closely with each other at multilateral cooperation mechanisms, contributing to maintaining consensus within ASEAN and raising the status of each country.

On this occasion, General Lich congratulated Laos on successfully fulfilling its role as ASEAN Chair in 2016.

Regarding directions for bilateral cooperation in 2017, the two sides reaffirmed that Vietnam-Laos defense cooperation is always defined by the Politburos of the two countries as one of the key pillars in relations of the two countries. In 2017, the two armies and peoples will observe many events, such as 40 years of the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Agreement (July 18, 1977) and 55 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos (September 5, 1962), so effective deployment of bilateral defense cooperation will make practical contributions to the celebration.

Accordingly, the two defense ministers agreed to promote coordination, guidance and supervision over the implementation of the 2017 cooperation plan and other agreements by leaders of the two sides. The two sides also saw the need to focus cooperation on personnel training, delegation exchange, deputy defense ministerial policy dialogue, Vietnam-Laos border defense friendship exchange, young officer exchange, holding the first Vietnam alumni meeting in Vientiane, and encouraging defense agencies and military units of the two sides to expand twinning activities and mutual supports.

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General Ngo Xuan Lich, and Senior Lieutenant General Chansamone Channhalat signing the 2017 Cooperation Plan between the two defense ministries. 

To achieve good results, the two defense ministers shared the same view that the two sides should continue to exchange experiences in political and Party work, information and education on the traditional friendship between the two countries on the occasions of major anniversaries of each country.

The two sides agreed to coordinate closely with each other to successfully celebrate 40 years of the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Agreement (July 18, 1977) and 55 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos (September 5, 1962) in both countries, particularly to finish the building of the “Vietnam-Laos Warfighting Alliance and Friendship” Monument in Laos.

As the current domestic context of each country is still forecast to remain complicated, the two defense ministers underscored that the two sides should enhance information exchange; well grasp the situation; successfully foil any plots and attempts of hostile forces; effectively prevent and control smuggling, trade fraud, drug trafficking and transnational crime, so as to deny the emergence of any “hot spots” of security and social order in areas along the shared border between the two countries.

After the talks, Vietnamese Defense Minister, General Ngo Xuan Lich, and Lao Defense Minister, Senior Lieutenant General Chansamone Channhalat signed the 2017 Cooperation Plan between the two defense ministries.

Translated by Thu Nguyen