Congratulating the guest on his new post as ambassador to Vietnam, General Lich expressed his belief that the Lao diplomat will outstandingly accomplish his tasks, contributing to developing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general and the bilateral defense cooperation in particular.

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At the reception

General Lich also took this chance to congratulate Laos on the success of the 11th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

The Vietnamese defense chief emphasized that the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos is a valuable asset that was fostered by Presidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane, Souphanouvong, and generations of Vietnamese and Lao leaders and people.

He thanked Laos for actively supporting, engaging, and contributing to activities hosted by Vietnam during its ASEAN Chairmanship Year in 2020, including the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense (MND)-hosted ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), ADMM Plus and related meetings.

General Lich confirmed that the Vietnamese MND will continue to share COVID-19 prevention experience and support Laos in the COVID-19 fight. It will also help improve the capabilities of the Lao People’s Armed Forces, create favorable conditions for the Lao diplomat to complete his missions and make contributions to boosting Vietnam-Laos relations and lifting the bilateral defense ties - an important pillar of the bilateral relationship - to a new height.

For his part, the Lao ambassador to Vietnam congratulated Vietnam on successfully performing its ASEAN Chair role and wished General Lich and other Vietnamese troops health, happiness, and success in the new year.

The Lao diplomat asserted that the two countries’ national and military leaders have paid due attention to enhancing the bilateral defense cooperation, which is regarded as one of the important pillars of the bilateral relations.

He also laid stress on the effective implementation of the yearly protocol and cooperation plan, signed by the two defense ministries, on such activities as all-level delegation exchanges, personnel training, cooperation in fighting trans-national crimes, drug trafficking, joint patrols, and control of illegal migration.

The Lao diplomat promised to exert all-out efforts to contribute to developing the ties between the two Parties, States, people, and militaries.

In the morning of the same day, a mission from the Vietnamese MND, led by Senior Colonel Pham Manh Thang, Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Relations under the MND, visited the Lao embassy in Hanoi to congratulate Laos on the 72nd Laos’ founding anniversary (January 20, 1949 - 2021) and on the success of the 11th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

Translated by Mai Huong