The Vietnamese defense leader emphasized that President Luong Cuong’s first State visit to Laos and his first overseas trip in 2025 demonstrates the great importance Vietnam places on its great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with Laos. The visit is more meaningful when the two countries are organizing significant activities to mark important events in 2025. Vietnam will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the South Liberation and National Reunification, the 80th National Day, and is actively preparing for the 14th National Party Congress. Meanwhile, Laos will mark the 70th anniversary of the foundation day of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the 50th National Day, and is preparing for its 12th National Party Congress.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Khamliang Outhakaysone welcomes General Phan Van Giang. |
General Giang deeply thanked the Party, State, military, and people of Laos for their valuable, wholehearted, impartial and effective support to Vietnam.
For his part, General Khamliang Outhakaysone highlighted the significance of President Luong Cuong’s visit and expressed his delight at meeting General Giang again. He congratulated Vietnam on its remarkable and comprehensive achievements in recent times and affirmed his commitment to further strengthening the cooperation between the two countries in general and between the two militaries in particular.
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The Vietnamese Defense Minister and his Lao counterpart |
On this occasion, the Lao defense leader reaffirmed that Laos will remember and be grateful for the tremendous support and contributions of Vietnam to Laos's national liberation struggle and to its ongoing efforts in the cause of national construction, defense, and development.
At the event, the two defense ministers noted that the bilateral defense cooperation has achieved great practical results in recent years and served as a key pillar in the Vietnam - Laos relations. General Giang also thanked the Lao government and Defense Ministry for facilitating the search, recovery, and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and military advisors who laid down their lives in Laos while performing international service in the country.
Both sides agreed to focus on effectively and comprehensively implementing the Protocol on Defense Cooperation for the 2025-2029 period and the Cooperation Plan in 2025. They will fully and effectively carry out delegation exchanges at all levels and cooperation mechanisms; foster cooperation in Party and political work with a focus on education about the history and significance of the Vietnam - Laos special relationship; strengthening multilateral cooperation; maintaining the annual meeting mechanism among the defense ministers of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia; and boosting collaboration in border management and protection.
The Vietnamese Defense Minister hoped that the Lao government and Defense Ministry would continue to create favorable condition for Vietnamese businesses, including those from the Vietnam People’s Army, to invest and operate in Laos across various sectors.
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General Phan Van Giang, Sr. Lt. Gen. Khamliang Outhakaysone, and delegates in a joint photo |
General Giang thanked the Lao Defense Ministry for sending military personnel to participate in the parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the South Liberation and National Reunification Day in Vietnam. He praised the spirit and dedication of Lao officers and soldiers during the training and rehearsals and expressed his hope to welcome Sr. Lt. Gen. Khamliang Outhakaysone and a high-level delegation from the Lao Defense Ministry to attend the celebration.
The Lao Defense Minister sincerely thanked General Giang for the invitation and confirmed his participation in the ceremony, contributing to its success and further deepening the close, enduring solidarity between the two Parties, States, militaries, and peoples.
Reported by Thu Trang (from Vientiane, Lao)
Translated by Tran Hoai