Gen. Thang emphasized that the significant importance of the dialogue in realizing the shared perceptions of the two countries’ Politburos and senior leaders, the Protocol on bilateral defense cooperation for the 2025-2029 period and the cooperation plan 2026 between the two Ministries of National Defense.
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Deputy Defense Minister Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang (right) welcomes his Lao counterpart Sr. Lt. Gen. Saichay Kommasith. |
Assessing bilateral defense ties, the Vietnamese defense leader affirmed that both sides have closely coordinated and effectively implemented the contents of the protocol and annual cooperation plans.
Both sides spoke highly of the results of cooperation in border management and protection, which has contributed significantly to maintaining security, order, and safety along the shared border, while facilitating economic development for border communities. They also emphasized the effective coordination and support for the search, collection, and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and advisors who sacrificed their lives in Laos during wartime periods.
The two sides underscored coordinated dissemination efforts on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos, particularly through joint activities marking major anniversaries and events of both countries and their militaries.
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An overview of the 6th Vietnam - Laos Defense Policy Dialogue |
Regarding future directions, both sides agreed to continue promoting practical and effective cooperation, focusing on all-level delegation exchanges, consultation and dialogue mechanisms, such cooperation models as young officer exchanges, servicewomen exchanges, twinning activities, and annual conferences between military regions, services, and border protection forces of the two countries.
The two sides will further strengthen cooperation in border management and protection through diverse and practical forms, including exchanges, twinning, information sharing, and joint patrols to promptly detect and effectively handle emerging issues.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang at the dialogue |
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Saichay Kommasith at the event |
They will also prioritize cooperation in training and human resource development, improving training quality, and strengthening coordination in communication and education for military personnel, especially younger generations, about the history, significance, and importance of the bilateral friendship between the two peoples and militaries.
Both sides will continue to accelerate coordination in the search, collection, and repatriation of the remains of fallen Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and advisors during the war in Laos, while further deepening defense cooperation between the two militaries, and among the militaries of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, in the context of increasingly complex global and regional developments and unpredictable non-traditional security challenges.
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Gen. Thang and Gen. Saichay Kommasith sign the minutes of the dialogue. |
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Delegates take a group photo. |
On this occasion, Gen. Thang invited the leadership of the Lao Ministry of National Defense, General Staff, and General Department of Political Affairs, along with Lao defense enterprises, to attend and participate in the 3rd Vietnam Defense Expo slated for December 2026.
Translated by Mai Huong