The program highlighted the role of these young officers as vanguard in managing and protecting the borders, thus realizing the policies of the Party, State, militaries, and border guard forces of both countries.
Effective implementation of coordination
During the program, young border guard officers from both countries engaged in meaningful activities, such as visiting, giving gifts, and planting friendship trees at Border Guard Company 320 of the Savannakhet Provincial Military Command (Laos); visiting the Laos-Vietnam Combat Alliance Museum and historical sites; and participating in sports competitions. The key highlight of the program was the third Vietnam - Laos Young Border Guard Officer Exchange Dialogue, held in Laos' Savannakhet province, co-chaired by Senior Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai, Deputy Political Chief of the Vietnam Border Guard and head of the Vietnamese delegation, and Lieutenant Colonel Sacksith Phichit, Deputy Director of the Border Guard Department of the General Staff of the Lao People's Army and head of the Lao delegation.
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Senior Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai (left) presenting a gift to Lieutenant Colonel Sacksith Phichit |
The sincere camaraderie and brotherhood between the two sides were palpable during the dialogue. Cultural performances praising the Vietnam-Laos friendship, presented by border guard officers from both countries, contributed to the warm and friendly atmosphere. The discussions focused on various missions of the two forces, reaffirming the pioneering, creative, and dedicated efforts of young border guard officers from Vietnam and Laos in managing and protecting the shared border and addressing issues in border areas, thus building a peaceful, friendly, and sustainably developed border area.
Young border guard officers from both countries have pro-actively and effectively coordinated in regular and unscheduled tasks, including combating crime, preventing diseases, dealing with natural disasters, and participating in search and rescue missions. These practical and concrete actions have deepened the special solidarity between the two nations.
Captain Khanthavyphon Phomluangsy, Deputy Head of the Border Guard Section of the Savannakhet Provincial Military Command, shared, “Our unit protects a 148.8km long border with 44 markers, spanning 17 villages in Sepone and Nong districts, Savannakhet province, which borders Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces of Vietnam. From 2023 to 2024, the border protection forces of both sides have conducted 15 joint patrols with 263 participating personnel and established twinning relationships between Lao border protection units and Vietnamese border guard stations.”
Captain Khanthavyphon Phomluangsy emphasized the need for increased activities and regular exchanges of experience and information to enhance the effectiveness of cooperation between the young border guard officers of the two countries.
Lieutenant Ho Duc Quy, Assistant of Mass Mobilization, Division of Political Affairs, the Quang Binh Provincial Border Guard Command, expressed pride in inheriting the legacy of the special friendship between the two nations, which has been carefully nurtured by the previous generations.
The young generation of the border guard forces of both countries has implemented various meaningful programs, models, and activities aimed at people and ethnic minority groups along the borderline. These include the twinning program between border communities, such as Dan Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province (Vietnam), and the Langkhang village cluster, Bualapha district, Khammuane province (Laos). Under the “Supporting Students to School - Border Guard’s Adopted Children” program, agencies and units of the Quang Binh Provincial Border Guard Command are currently supporting 99 children, including 8 Lao students. This program has strengthened the bonds between the two nations, two peoples, and the younger generations of both countries.
Promoting pioneering role of young border guard officers
Looking back upon the efforts of the border management and protection forces of Vietnam and Laos, particularly the young officers, it can be affirmed that the Vietnam - Laos Young Border Guard Officer Exchange Program is a significant milestone in border diplomacy of the two sides.
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Young border guard officers from Vietnam and Laos visiting the Laos-Vietnam Combat Alliance Museum |
During the dialogue, Senior Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai, head of the Vietnamese delegation, expressed confidence that the young border guard officers of Vietnam and Laos will continue to uphold their responsibilities and determination in maintaining and enhancing the traditional solidarity and friendship between the two nations, particularly between the Vietnam Border Guard and the Border Guard Department of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army. This will contribute positively to the protection and development of the two nations.
Lieutenant Colonel Sacksith Phichit emphasized that young border guard officers from both sides should focus on strictly implementing the the protocol on border cooperation signed by the Vietnamese and Lao Defense Ministries on January 6, 2024; strengthening cooperation in border management and protection; organizing bilateral patrols between Lao border guard companies and Vietnamese border guard stations; and continuing to leverage the role of young officers in both border guard forces. He advocated pro-active information exchange on border management and improving legal awareness among border communities regarding their compliance with bilateral legal agreements.
Lieutenant Colonel Sacksith Phichit hoped that the Vietnam Border Guard Command and the Border Guard Commands of the provinces bordering Laos will continue to support the the Lao border guard forces in training, professional exchanges, and experience sharing in border management and protection to enhance the capacity of both forces. He also looked forward to more exchange programs and experience-sharing activities between the two border guard forces.
Source: Baobienphong
Translated by Trung Thanh