Vietnam, Laos promote defence cooperation

Chien hailed effective defence cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in recent times, and said 2022 is of great significance in bilateral relations as the two countries are celebrating 60 years of their diplomacy and 45 years of signing the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

The Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam has considered this an important occasion for the two sides to strengthen cooperation and further cement the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, peoples and armies, said the defence official.

The Vietnamese Ministry has planned nearly 30 activities to be organized this year to mark the Solidarity Year between Vietnam and Laos, he informed his guest.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chien also said the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam wishes to promote joint defence activities between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, including a meeting between the Defense Ministers of the three countries and the rescue drills between three armies.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chien extended the traditional Lao New Year (Bunpimay) greetings to all officials and employees of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam.

Deputy Ambassador Chanthaphone Khammanichanh thanked the Ministry of National Defense and the Vietnam People’s Army for their assistance to Laos in the past time, and emphasized the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The diplomat also said that Laos has established a National Steering Committee for the ‘Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022’, which includes members from the Lao Ministry of Defense. At the same time, the Lao Ministry of Defense also established a steering committee to carry out activities on this occasion.