The two sides will maintain high-level delegation exchanges and defence policy dialogue mechanisms; and increase political and ideological collaboration, focusing on promoting the historical significance of the Vietnam - Laos relationship.

They will foster greater multilateral defence cooperation, including maintaining the annual trilateral Vietnam–Laos–Cambodia defense ministerial meeting. They will also boost the quality of defence personnel training, strengthen joint efforts in border protection, and encourage Vietnamese military-backed businesses to invest and operate in Laos.

The agreement was reached during a meeting in Vientiane on April 25 between General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, and General Khamliang Outhakaysone, Minister of National Defence of Laos.

The two defence chiefs reviewed the robust and substantive development in Vietnam - Laos defence ties, highlighting it as a cornerstone of their broader bilateral relationship.

They noted that key areas of cooperation have expanded and deepened, including strategic policy exchanges, defence industry development, capacity building and training, political and ideological cooperation, joint border security and management, as well as search and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese martyrs who sacrificed their lives in Laos.

Gen. Giang expressed sincere gratitude for the heartfelt and effective support provided by the Lao Party, Government, military, and people to Vietnam, both during the past struggle for independence and in present-day national development.

Meanwhile, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Outhakaysone reaffirmed Laos’ deep appreciation for Vietnam’s invaluable support, both historically and in modern times, and pledged to further bolster bilateral defence cooperation.

Gen. Giang thanked the Lao Ministry of National Defence for sending its military personnel to participate in Vietnam’s upcoming 50th anniversary of national reunification parade in Ho Chi Minh City.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Outhakaysone thanked Gen. Giang for the invitation and confirmed his participation in the commemorative event, reaffirming the enduring bond and solidarity between the two militaries and peoples.

Gen. Giang was accompanying Vietnamese President Luong Cuong’s state visit to Laos on April 24-25 at the invitation of Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Laos People's Revolutionary Party and President of Laos.

PM lauds defence cooperation between Vietnam and Laos

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh lauded defence cooperation between Vietnam and Laos as an important pillar in bilateral relations, during his reception for Lieutenant General Saichay Kommasith, Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army in Hanoi on March 5.