Lao high-ranking military delegation visits Vietnam

(Bqp.vn) - On June 2, at the Ministry of National Defence’s headquarters, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Defence Minister, chaired a solemn reception for a high-ranking Lao military delegation, led by Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone, Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Armed Forces while paying an official visit to Vietnam.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong (R) and Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong and Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone inspecting the Guards of honor of the Vietnam People’s Army.

After the reception, the two sides held talks. During the talks, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong congratulated Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone on being entrusted with the posts as Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong believed that in his new posts, Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone will contribute to developing the Lao People’s Armed Forces and tightening the cooperation between the two militaries. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong confirmed that in the context the two militaries and peoples are implementing big celebrations in the Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam Friendship Year in 2022, his Lao counterpart’s visit will create new impetus to develop the relationship and cooperation between the two militaries, contributing to consolidating and strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two neighbors, two militaries for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

During the talks.

For his part, Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone affirmed that Laos treasures and gives high priority to preserving and promoting the traditional, faithful, and close-knit relations between the two countries, including the bilateral defence ties which is one of the important contents that leaders of the two militaries have paid due attention to.     

The high-ranking Vietnamese military delegation at the talks.

The high-ranking Lao military delegation at the talks.

Also at the talks, the two sides discussed regional and international situations and issues of common concern. They agreed that political environment and security in the region and the world are changing complicatedly with potential risks, instability. Especially traditional and non-traditional security challenges, such as diseases, climate change, water security, navigation security and safety, disputes over territorial sovereignty, strategic competition among major powers are posing great challenges to peace and stability in the region and the world.

The two sides highlighted important outcomes in bilateral defence cooperation reaped over the past time. While playing the core role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the two militaries have effectively carried out military and defence duties according to the annual cooperation plan. The two sides emphasized that bilateral defence ties continue to be one of the important pillars in the two countries’ relationship. They highly appreciated the two sides’ efforts to maintain high-level contacts and meetings, and implement cooperation mechanisms in an effective manner. The two officials emphasized that the two defence ministries’ successful organization of the first-ever Vietnam-Laos border defence friendship exchange last December actively spread the solidarity, mutual support, and close ties between the two peoples and militaries. Stressing highlights in the cooperation between military regions, and border protection forces of the two countries, the two sides spoke highly of the close coordination in sharing information, situations, and preventing cross-border crimes, contributing to building a Vietnam - Laos borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development. Both Vietnamese and Lao generals agreed that cooperation in human resources training continues to receive due attention by both sides and has achieved important results. Attentively, though facing a lot of COVID-19-caused difficulties, the two militaries have provided each other with materials and equipment to fight COVID-19 in a timely manner. This has vividly manifested the tradition of solidarity and mutual support between the two militaries in hard times.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong presenting a souvenier to Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone.

Regarding the cooperation in the time ahead, the two sides consented to continuously and effectively carrying out activities in celebration of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship Solidarity Year 2022, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of two countries’ diplomatic ties, and 45 years of the signing of Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. They were unanimous in comprehensively implementing the two defence ministries’ cooperation plan in 2022 with a focus on enhancing cooperation and information exchange between the two countries’ border protection forces, joint patrols, fight against crimes, illegal immigration, and ensuring security and safety in border areas. Cooperation in training, further collaboration in disseminating information and educating young generation about the significance and importance of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, states, peoples, and militaries, and mutual support in multilateral forums are what the two sides will concentrate on as well.

All delegates in a joint photo.

On the occasion, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong invited leaders of the Lao Ministry of National Defence to take part in the first Defence Expo, the ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting and the ASEAN Army Rifle Meet to be hosted by Vietnam this year.