The meeting was within the framework of the state visit to Laos by General Secretary To Lam and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.
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Vietnamese Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang (right) and his Lao counterpart General Khamliang Outhakaysone |
General Giang expressed his pleasure at meeting Minister Khamliang Outhakaysone again and congratulated him on his promotion to the rank of General, noting that this reflects the recognition by the Lao Party and State of his contributions over recent years. He affirmed that this is not only a joy for the Lao People’s Army and for General Khamliang Outhakaysone personally, but also for the Vietnam People’s Army.
Regarding the state visit to Laos by General Secretary To Lam this time, the Vietnamese defense chief emphasized that it was the first overseas trip of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam of the 14th term, carrying profound political significance, clearly demonstrating Vietnam’s consistent policy of attaching special importance and giving top priority to Vietnam - Laos relations, thereby creating new momentum and opening a new phase of development for relations between the two countries and their militaries.
General Khamliang Outhakaysone congratulated Vietnam on the successful organization of the 14th National Party Congress, and on the country’s outstanding and comprehensive achievements in recent years. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country will continue to achieve even greater and more remarkable development accomplishments in the coming period.
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An overview of the meeting |
The Lao defense chief affirmed that Laos always bears in mind and expresses gratitude to Vietnam for its wholehearted support, sincere assistance, and enormous contributions during Laos’ past struggle for national liberation and current cause of renewal, national building, defense, and development.
During the meeting, the two ministers expressed their satisfaction that in recent years, bilateral defense cooperation has continued to be implemented comprehensively, extensively, and substantively. The two militaries have remained at the forefront in implementing orientations agreed upon by the senior leaders of both countries, making an important contribution to maintaining and consolidating an environment of peace and stability in each country for development.
General Giang hoped that his Lao counterpart would continue to direct Lao units to closely coordinate to practically and effectively realize the cooperation plan 2026 between the two Ministries of National Defense, with a focus on enhancement of exchanges on strategic issues, preparations for holding the Deputy-ministerial-level Defense Policy Dialogue in Vietnam, strengthening of cooperation in border and marker management and protection, and expansion of training cooperation.
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General Phan Van Giang, General Khamliang Outhakaysone, and other delegates in a group photo |
Both leaders agreed that amidst increasingly complex global developments, it is more necessary than ever to further deepen the solidarity and close-knit bonds between the two countries, the two militaries, and among the three Indochinese countries.
On this occasion, General Giang invited General Khamliang Outhakaysone to pay an official visit to Vietnam, attend the annual meeting of the Defense Ministers of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, and a joint exercise among the three militaries on responding to non-traditional security challenges, scheduled to be held this year.
Translated by Mai Huong