Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, and his Lao counterpart, Lieutenant General Vongkham Phommakone, co-chaired the event.
During the dialogue, both sides discussed the world and regional situations and issues of mutual concern, as well as severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic globally, the rise of non-traditional security threats, and the growing competition among big countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Delegates at the dialogue |
In that context, they agreed that ASEAN has bolstered its core role in regional security and promoted dialogue and cooperation among member countries as well as with international partners for peace, stability, and development in the region.
The two sides also highly valued the Vietnam-Laos defense cooperation over the past time, affirming that they have actively coordinated and implemented the signed contents in the cooperation plan between the two defense ministries in 2021 despite the complicated developments of the pandemic.
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An overview of the dialogue |
In the coming time, the two ministries will continue closely working together for the implementation of the cooperation plan in 2022, in line with the COVID-19 situation, with the focus on delegation exchange; effective implementation of bilateral defense cooperation mechanisms; training and education; cooperation in logistic and technical services, information technology, and Party and political work.
The two defense leaders also emphasized the need to promote dissemination and education work for the two militaries’ personnel so as to raise their awareness of the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, especially in 2022, which is considered the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year, via practical and meaningful activities.
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Delegates in a joint photo |
In addition, Vietnamese and Lao militaries should also foster cooperation between the two border management forces in various forms of exchanges, information sharing, joint patrols, illegal border crossing prevention, and curbing the spread of the COVID-19 through each side’s shared borderline.
Translated by Minh Anh