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Gen. Trinh Van Quyet and Lt. Gen. Vongsone Inpanphim review the Guards-of-Honor of the Vietnam People’s Army. |
At the talks held right after the welcome ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of Vietnam, Gen. Quyet congratulated the guest on the success of the sixth Congress of the Party Organization of the Lao MND for the 2025-2030 tenure. He expressed his belief that under the sound leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the Standing Board of the Party Committee of the Lao MND, the Lao People’s Army would continue to reap bigger achievements, actively contributing to the national construction and defense of Laos and to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
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Gen. Trinh Van Quyet speaks at the talks. |
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Vietnamese delegates at the event |
The Vietnamese GDP Chief underlined that the Party, State, military and people of Vietnam always bear in mind the great, wholehearted, and effective support from the Lao counterparts in the past struggle for national salvation and for the ongoing Fatherland building and defense cause. He emphasized that in any circumstances, Vietnam always treasures, preserves and constantly promotes the great friendship, special solidarity and loyalty between the two nations.
At the talks, the two generals exchanged views of regional and global issues and situations related to each military. Regarding the East Sea (South China Sea internationally) issue, the host stressed Vietnam’s persistent standpoint of addressing all disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, including the UNCLOS 1982, effectively and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early adopting a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the waters (COC) in accordance with international law.
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Lt. Gen. Vongsone Inpanphim speaks at the event. |
In terms of bilateral defense cooperation, both generals agreed that based on the signed agreements and documents, the two sides have pro-actively carried out cooperation contents with practical and standout outcomes. They have closely popularized the great friendship and special solidarity between the two Parties, States, militaries and peoples; attached importance to exchanges at all levels, particularly the high-level ones; and realized cooperation forms and mechanisms, such as defense policy dialogue, young officer exchanges, in a practical and effective manner. In addition, the two sides have effectively cooperated in border management and protection and paid attention to personnel training cooperation and the search, collection and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer troops and advisors who sacrificed their lives during wartime in Laos.
Gen. Quyet expressed gratitude to the Lao Party, State, and Government for sending a high-ranking delegation to participate in the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day and a formation of Lao servicemen to join in the parade for the celebration. He also thanked the Lao side for actively coordinating to build the monument dedicated to troops of the Lao People’s Army on the grounds of the Vietnam Military History Museum.
He emphasized that building a politically-, ideologically-, morally-, organizationally-strong military is an extremely important task, in which the Party and political work is the soul and lifeblood to ensure each country’s military is truly a political force, an absolutely loyal and trustworthy combat force of the Party, State, people and socialist regime.
In the coming time, General Trinh Van Quyet suggested the two sides focus on a number of key cooperation contents, such as high-level contacts and meetings, effectively disseminating information about the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, militaries and peoples, particularly youths. They should also strengthen ties in journalism, communications, and social network management via experience sharing, training courses, and experts’ visits. Together with all-level delegation exchanges, the two sides were urged to carry forward effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms and models, such as exchanges among young officers, military women, troops-people bonds, annual meetings between military regions, army corps and border protection forces.
The Vietnamese general suggested higher priority be given to high-quality human resource training and development, closer coordination and direction over the search and repatriation of remains of fallen Vietnamese volunteer troops and advisors in wartime in Laos. He also noted the need to coordinate to successfully organize the annual meeting of the defense ministers of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in Laos this year.
Expressing gratitude to the Lao MND for sending troops to the upcoming grand parade in Vietnam to mark the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2), he voiced the Vietnamese MND’s hope to welcome leaders of the Lao MND and the Chief of the GDP to this special event.
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Gen. Trinh Van Quyet presents a souvenir to Lt. Gen. Vongsone Inpanphim. |
For his part, Lt. Gen. Vongsone Inpanphim congratulated the host on his rank promotion to General. He conveyed the regards of the Lao Defense Minister to Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang, and the Lao Deputy Defense Minister Sr. Lt. Gen. Thongloi Silivong to Gen. Quyet.
The Lao general highly agreed with the contents of the talks, especially the outcomes of the bilateral defense ties and the new developments and practical results of the collaboration between the two GDPs with many activities spreading the friendship between the two countries and militaries.
Translated by Mai Huong