Sharing his opinion about the traditional friendship and solidarity, which are invaluable common asset of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, creating both spiritual and material strengths for the three countries to always stand side by side in the struggle for national salvation in the past as well as current national protection, defense, and development cause, Colonel Vongxay Inthakham underlined that Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia are three neighboring countries, sharing the same mountains and rivers. The natural factors have created a solid connection, creating conditions for the three countries to support each other for mutual development. The struggle for national independence as well as the cause of national construction and defense in each country has been the clearest evidence about the solidarity of the three militaries and peoples.
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Colonel Vongxay Inthakham, Defense Attaché of Laos to Vietnam, grants an interview to the People’s Army Newspaper. |
Amid the complicated developments of the world and regional situations, strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries and countries in the region to build a peaceful and stable environment plays an important role in maintaining security and development of each country.
For the benefit of people in the three countries and the desire to accelerate coordination for peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the new context, over the past years, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia have implemented a number of measures to boost cooperation in all fields, in which defense cooperation has remained one of the important pillars in the relationship between the three countries. The three defense ministries have closely coordinated with each other to carry out significant contents, obtaining remarkable results.
Meanwhile, the three militaries have collaborated in successfully organizing the first joint exercise on search and rescue among Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in Vientiane (Laos) in 2022. Recognizing the significance and efficiency of the defense cooperative relations among the three militaries, Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense has closely worked with the Lao and Cambodian defense ministries to make thorough preparations for the first Vietnam-Lao-Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange, which is expected to take place in mid-December.
Regarding the meaning and significance of the first exchange program, the Lao Defense Attaché to Vietnam shared that, over the past years, the relationship among the three countries has been continuously cultivated and experienced significant positive changes. In particular, the cooperation mechanisms among the three countries’ ministries, departments, localities, and mass organizations have been intensively and extensively promoted. Moreover, to intensify the ties among the three Parties, Governments, and peoples, the three defense ministries decided to hold the first Vietnam-Lao-Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange.
It is a crucial political event, contributing to promoting the relations among the militaries, local authorities and people in Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia; fostering economic development and people-to-people exchanges in border areas. The exchange program will be also an occasion to spread the message of solidarity, friendship and mutual support among the three governments, militaries and peoples, thereby building the Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos border of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation, and development.
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Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien talking with people from the three countries during his inspection of activities in preparation for the first Vietnam-Lao-Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange |
Mentioning the preparations for the exchange program, Colonel Vongxay Inthakham reaffirmed that the event is defined as an important external defense relations activity of the three countries this year. Therefore, leaders at all levels, especially defense leaders, have paid much attention to the preparations. Functional agencies inside and outside the military, together with relevant units in the three countries have heightened their responsibilities and determinations to overcome difficulties and team up with each other to well prepare for the event. Up to now, the preparations have been completed as planned, ensuring the success of the first exchange program.
Translated by Quynh Oanh