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Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang receives Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh on July 3, 2024. |
The Vietnam-Laos relations, built by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Lao Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong, and cultivated by generations of leaders of the two parties, states, militaries and the two peoples, are a typical, exemplary, rare example of faithful and steadfast solidarity. According to Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh, this is a fact that has been proven by history. “The solidarity between Vietnam and Laos is special, unique in the world. It is a close, faithful, and pure relationship in which both sides always give great, precious, and whole-hearted support to each other. During the combat against common enemies, the two countries stood shoulder-to-shoulder, shared hardships, sacrificed for each other, making the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam relationship an invaluable common asset of the two peoples,” said the ambassador to reporter of the People's Army Newspaper.
Promoting the heroic revolutionary traditions and under the guiding light of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s Thought in Vietnam; Marxism-Leninism and Kaysone Phomvihane’s Thought in Laos, Vietnam and Laos always give priority and support each other in reform process, national development and defense cause, for prosperity of each country, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. The Lao ambassador said that over the past time, although the world and regional situation continues to develop rapidly and unpredictably, under the leadership of the two parties, the administration of the two governments and the supervision of the two National Assemblies, the bilateral relations are developing flourishingly and have reaped many important outcomes in all fields, from politics, defense, security, foreign relations to economy, trade, investment, education-training, cooperation between ministries, sectors, and localities.
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General Phan Van Giang presents a souvenir to Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh. |
“The attainments have importantly contributed to maintaining political stability, developing socio-economy, bringing practical benefits to the two peoples, strengthening the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity, enhancing the role and position of the two countries, positively helping uphold regional and world peace, stability, cooperation, development, becoming a shining example in international relations. The special relations between Laos and Vietnam is forever engraved in the hearts of the people of the two countries,” the Lao diplomat stressed.
In the overall bilateral relationship, cooperation between the Vietnam People's Army and the Lao People's Army is an important pillar. In the struggle to defend the Fatherland, the two militaries have stood side-by-side on the same front, winning many great victories. In peacetime, bilateral defense cooperation continues to be nurtured, making important contribution to the national building and defense cause of each country.
According to Lao defense attaché to Vietnam Colonel Viengxay Soulivong, on the basis of the protocol and cooperation plan signed annually, bilateral defense relations have been deep and practical with remarkable results in such areas as all-level delegation exchange, training, Party and political work, border management and protection, and search, collection, and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer troops and advisors who sacrificed during the war in Laos. Both sides have closely coordinated and supported each other at multilateral military-defense forums as well.
According to Colonel Viengxay Soulivong, in recent years, under the leadership of the two parties, bilateral defense cooperation has continuously had new developments, practically fostering the special, close, loyal, pure, exemplary and rare solidarity between the two parties, states, militaries and peoples. Given that the world and regional situation is forecast to continue to develop rapidly, complicatedly and unpredictably, the Lao official suggested the two militaries focus on effectively implementing the contents agreed in the protocol and annual cooperation plan so as to consolidate and develop the bilateral defense relations to a new height.
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General Phan Van Giang, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh, and other delegates at the reception for the ambassador on July 3, 2024 |
Emphasizing that cooperation in border management and protection is a highlight in bilateral defense relations, Colonel Viengxay Soulivong said that Laos and Vietnam are actively preparing for the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange. Over the past time, the preparation work has regularly received attention and close direction from all levels, directly and regularly from the two defense ministries. Leaders of the two defense ministries have also directly checked the work. Functional agencies inside and outside the military and relevant localities of the two countries have closely coordinated and carried out the work synchronously.
“The second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange is identified as one of the most important bilateral defense diplomacy activities of the two countries in 2024. Directly engaging in the preparation work, I am very impressed with the all-out efforts of the Vietnamese side to ensure the success of the exchange. I do believe that with the efforts of both countries, the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange will be a great success, leaving deep impressions, opening a new chapter in defense cooperation between the two countries,” said Colonel Viengxay Soulivong.
Translated by Mai Huong