Vietnam, Laos solidify defence ties
VOV.VN - General Ngo Xuan Lich, Politburo member and Minister of National Defence had talks with Politburo member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Defence Minister Chansamone Chanyalath in Phnom Penh on December 28.
Lich said the meeting takes place at a time when the Lao People’s Army is gearing up preparation for its 75th founding anniversary and the Vietnam People’s Army will celebrate its 75th founding anniversary next year.
He added that the meeting will create fresh momentum for and further deepen bilateral defence partnership which is always one of the important pillars in bilateral ties.
In reply, Chanyalath, affirmed that Laos attributes importance to relations with Vietnam, while highlighting the special bilateral defence relationship.
Both sides consented to continue intensifying the sharing of experience in Party and political work, raising public awareness of friendship between the two countries and armies as a contribution to strengthening traditional friendship, special solidarity and all-round cooperation between the two peoples and armies.
They pledged to supervise the implementation of signed cooperation agreements in 2019, especially in personnel training, considering it an issue of strategic benefit to the two countries.
The ministers asked the two armies to enhance border management and protection and agreed to assign units concerned to review bilateral coordination for the 2015-2019 period, thereby proposing contents for future cooperation.
Following the talks, the two ministers signed a cooperation plan for 2019 between the two ministries.
General Ngo Xuan Lich is on a visit to Cambodia for the Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia Defence Ministers’ Conference.