Defense Minister receives Lao counterpart

At the meeting, the Vietnamese Defense Minister thanked the Lao Party, Government, and State for sending a delegation to the celebration and affirmed that the Lao delegation’s presence in the event was a significant source of encouragement and contribution to the overall success of the event.

Gen. Phan Van Giang welcomes his Lao counterpart Chansamone Chanyalath.

Gen. Giang highlighted that the Dien Bien Phu Victory is one of the historical events of great significance for the Vietnamese people and peace lovers worldwide; a vivid symbol of great solidarity and combat alliance between the Vietnamese and Lao militaries and people in particular and among the three Indochinese countries in general; a premise for the Vietnamese and Lao people to break free from the yoke of colonialism and gain independence and freedom for their nations.

A view of the meeting

The Vietnamese defense leader said he was moved to learn that the Lao Party, Government, and State held a national-level meeting to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. He affirmed that the celebration held profound political significance. It was an opportunity for the two countries to educate young generation about the special and great relationship between Vietnam and Laos and express gratitude to Lao war veterans who had stood side by side with the Vietnam People’s Army in wartime, especially in the resistance war against French colonialists and during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.

The two Defense Ministers evaluated that the bilateral defense ties have been actively carried out in line with with inked cooperation plan in 2024 and obtained practical results. They suggested the two sides continue to effectively carry out  signed documents and agreements and review the implementation of the Protocol on Vietnam - Laos Defense Cooperation for the 2020-2024 period, build and sign a new Protocol for the 2025-2029 period with practical cooperation contents, contributing to strengthen the bilateral defense cooperation in an intensive and sustainable manner.

On this occasion, Gen. Giang congratulated the Lao Defense Ministry on its successful organization of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Retreat and emphasized that Vietnam supports Laos to successfully fulfill the role of ASEAN Chair in 2024. He promised to send delegations to all defense and security-related meetings during Laos's tenure as ASEAN Chair 2024.

The two defense ministers and delegates in a joint photo

The Vietnamese Defense Minister expected to welcome his Lao counterpart and leaders of the Defense Ministry, General Staff, General Department of Political Affairs of Laos to ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the foundation day of the Vietnam People’s Army, the 35th anniversary of the whole people’s Defense Festive Day, and the second Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024 slated for December 19-22.

Translated by Tran Hoai