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Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (R) receiving Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang. Photo: mod.gov.vn

This first foreign visit of Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang as the Chief of the General Staff shows Vietnam’s attaching great importance to fostering and enhancing the traditional friendship between the two peoples and armies of Vietnam and Laos.

At the reception hosted by Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, the host spoke highly of the guest’s visit, saying that it would contribute significantly to the enhancement of the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship and special solidarity in the new period, for mutual interests of the two peoples. The visit takes place when the two countries are preparing for the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations establishment and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

The host reaffirmed that the Lao Government and the PM himself would provide most favorable conditions for the two armies to boost effective cooperation in all fields.

For his part, Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang thanked PM Thongloun Sisoulith for the warm reception and extended best regards from Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to the host and expressed joy over recent warm and deeper developments in the bilateral relations in all fields. He said that Vietnam has always attached special importance to fostering and strengthening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, considering these as the invaluable treasures that the two sides should well preserve and promote.

The guest congratulated the host on achievements that Laos has reaped over the past time, affirming that the Vietnam People’s Army would continue to cooperate more closely with the Laos People’s Army, contributing to strengthening the special relations between the two countries.

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Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang and Lieutenant General Suvon Luongbunmi reviewing the guards-of-honor of the Lao People's Army. Photo: mod.gov.vn  
* The same afternoon, Lao Defense Minister, Senior Lieutenant General Chansamone Channhalat received Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang and sent his regards to Vietnam’s Defense Minister, General Ngo Xuan Lich.

* Earlier, at the headquarters of the Lao Defense Ministry, after a solemn reception hosted by the Lao Chief of the General Staff for Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang and the high-ranking military delegation of Vietnam, the two military delegations held talks.

At the talks, the two sides exchanges notes on issues of mutual concern and showed joy over the results of cooperation between the two armies over the past time, especially exchanges of delegations, education and training, cultural exchange activities during major events of both sides. The two delegations agreed that in the coming time, based on agreed contents, the two General Staffs will continue to coordinate to effectively implement their cooperation with an aim to strengthen and enhance trust and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, peoples and armies, contributing to maintaining peace and socio-economic stability for development. It would also help foil any plots of hostile forces to split the two nations.

At the end of the talks, the two head delegates witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnam’s Institute of Defense Strategies and the Laos’ Department of Military History Science.

Translated by Huu Duong