The Vietnamese delegation from the Ministry of Public Security was led by Lieutenant General Pham The Tung, member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Minister of Public Security, while the Lao delegation was headed by Major General En Ouanongnout, Deputy Minister and Director General of the General Department of Security under the Lao Ministry of Public Security.

The conference took place as Laos is preparing to celebrate the traditional Boun Pi-may New Year (Buddhist calendar year 2569), while both countries have successfully held Party congresses and National Assembly elections and are implementing Party congress resolutions and high-level agreements reached recently.

The event provided an opportunity for the two sides to exchange views and agree on policies and measures to coordinate in safeguarding national security, maintaining stability and building a shared border of peace, friendship and cooperation, thereby further strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic ties between Vietnam and Laos.

Speaking at the conference, Lieutenant General Pham The Tung spoke highly of the warm reception and thorough preparations by the Lao Ministry of Public Security and said both sides should continue effective and substantive coordination. He called for maintaining regular exchanges between security and police forces in border localities, and ensuring hostile and reactionary forces do not exploit one country against the other or undermine political stability and public order in either country, as well as do not cause division in bilateral ties.

Co-chaired by Major General En Ouanongnout and Lieutenant General Pham The Tung, the conference agreed that despite difficulties stemming from regional and global developments, the security forces of both countries have effectively realized the outcomes of the 15th Vietnam-Laos Security Cooperation Conference held in Ho Chi Minh City in March 2025, while maintaining close and effective coordination in safeguarding national security.

Looking ahead, both sides consented to continue carrying out existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly among specialized units and police forces in border areas. They emphasized information sharing on national security issues to take timely preventive and response measures and to advise the leadership of both ministries on policies and measures in the new context. The two sides also agreed to coordinate efforts to counter security threats affecting bilateral cooperation.

In addition, they concurred to closely coordinate their positions at international and regional security forums, bolster cooperation in combating international terrorism among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and coordinate to ensure security for major events in both countries.

At the conference, Major General En Ouanongnout and Lieutenant General Pham The Tung signed the minutes of the 16th Vietnam-Laos Security Cooperation Conference.

On the sidelines, later the same day, the Vietnamese delegation led by Lieutenant General Pham The Tung paid a courtesy call on Lieutenant General Vanthong Kongmani, member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Public Security of Laos.

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