The ceremony was chaired by Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Member of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Defense Minister, with the attendance of Lieutenant General Le Hien Van, Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics, and Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane.
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Gen. Giang and delegates in a joint photo |
Speaking at the event, Gen. Giang recalled the Lao army’s history and tradition over the past seven decades as well as the special solidarity between between the two countries and armies.
He stressed that over the past 70 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), as well as the supports of the two peoples, the two armies have stood side by side with mutual respect and trust to overcome the hardest challenges on their way to the final victories.
"It is a valuable example of the special solidarity, which the next generations of the two countries and armies need to preserve and promote," he added.
For his part, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane expressed his delight at taking part in the event and affirmed that the event reflected vividly the close friendship and traditional relationship between Vietnamese and Lao military officers and soldiers.
"The Lao people will never forget the sweat and blood that Vietnamese volunteer soldiers have shed in Laos, and this has built up the faithful, pure and rare special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos. The rare close relations have been a major support for all victories of the two nations and a valuable asset for the younger generations," he stressed.
The ceremony was part of the practical and meaningful activities held by the Vietnam People's Army to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of the Lao People’s Army. It was also an event to express friendship and solidarity between the two armies, and contribute to promoting tradition education for youths and recalling the glorious tradition of the Lao People’s Army, as well as the in-combat alliance and solidarity between the two countries during the struggles for national liberation and reunification.
Translated by Lam Anh