Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese and Lao States bestowedtheir noble orders upon several collectives and individuals of the twocountries’ armies at a ceremony in Hanoi on February 18.

On behalf of the Vietnamese President, Gen. NgoXuan Lich, Politburo member, Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commissionand Minister of National Defence, presented the first-class Independence Orderto Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath, Politburo member of the Lao People’sRevolutionary Party and Minister of National Defence of Laos.

Representing the Lao President, Chanyalathpresented the first-class Issara (Freedom) Order to the Vietnam People’s Army(VPA) and other orders to leaders of the Vietnamese defence ministry and itssubordinate agencies, along with the VPA’s General Staff and General Departmentof Politics.

In his speech, Gen. Lich said the first-classIndependence Order for Gen. Chanyalath is the Vietnamese Party, State, DefenceMinistry and people’s recognition of his enormous contributions to the greatfriendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the twocountries.

He noted over the past years, defencecooperation between the VPA and the Lao People’s Army has been increasinglyenhanced and remains a pillar in their countries’ relations. The two defenceministries have actively carried out cooperation activities with a view tofurther strengthening mutual trust and maintaining peace and socio-politicalstability to develop each nation and defeat all plots that aim to drive a wedgebetween the two sides.

As Vietnam is serving as ASEAN Chair in 2020 anda non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, its DefenceMinistry will host many important activities and meetings, he said, adding thatthe ministry hopes to receive more coordination and support from its Laocounterpart at the regional forum so that Vietnam can fulfill itsresponsibility, help consolidate ASEAN’s solidarity, cohesion and strength, andaccelerate the ASEAN Community building process.

On this occasion, Lich also appreciated the LaoParty and State’s noble rewards for the VPA’s collectives and individuals. Heexpressed his belief that the countries will continue working together tonurture the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperationbetween the two Parties, States, peoples and armies.

At the ceremony, Gen. Chanyalath affirmed thatthe Party, Government, army and people of Vietnam have always given majorassistance to Laos, and their cooperation achievements have considerably helpedto intensify bilateral relations.

He said the special solidarity between Laos andVietnam is hard to be found anywhere else in the world, wishing bilateral tieswould be sustainable forever./.