Hanoi (VNA) – The ongoing official visit to Vietnam by Director of the GeneralDepartment of Politics of the Lao People’s Army Vilay Lakhamphong will contributeto enhancing the special relations between the two countries, particularly thebilateral defense cooperation, for the benefits of their people. SeniorLieutenant General Luong Cuong, Secretary of the Communist Party of VietnamCentral Committee, Director of the General Department of Politics of theVietnam People’s Army, made the statement during talks with the Lao officer inHanoi on August 2. Cuong hailedthe two countries’ advisory bodies for proactively implementing activities tocelebrate the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Year of Solidarity and Friendship2017, especially the successful organisation of meetings in Laos for ex-Laomilitary trainees in Vietnam, a military youth festival in the north-westernprovince of Dien Bien, a culture-art campaign on the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodiafighting solidarity, and a border friendship exchange programme. Suchactivities are politically significant as they help increase mutual trust andeducate young generations on the traditional friendship and special solidaritybetween the Vietnamese and Lao Parties, States and people, he added.
[Vietnam, Laos strengthen coordination to promote renovation]
Lakhamphongexpressed his belief that sound bilateral military relations will contribute toreinforcing trust and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries’Parties, States, peoples and armies as well as the maintenance of peace,stability and development in each nation. The two sidesagreed to enhance cooperation in Party, political work, and protecting internalpolitics, while stepping up communications about the long-standing amity,special solidarity and all-around collaboration between Vietnamese and Laopeople and armies, and promoting the bilateral coordination in training,regarding this as a long-term strategy. They alsoconcurred to speed up the search for and repatriation of the remains ofVietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in Laos, aswell as soon publish the bilingual Vietnamese-Lao books and documentary filmsreflecting the coordination of the two countries’ armies in the field. Both nationswere unanimous to maintain delegation exchanges, especially among young officers,establish twin ties between military units, and promote culture, art and sportexchange programmes.During theworking trip to Vietnam, the Lao military delegation is scheduled to meet PartyGeneral Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Minister of National Defense General NgoXuan Lich, and work with authorities of the People’s Committee of Dien Bienprovince.
The visit is taking place at a time when Vietnamandꦓ Laos are celebrating the 55th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties(September 5, 19꧋62), and the 40th anniversary of signing the bilateral Treatyof Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977).-VNA
VNA