Receiving Lieutenant General Saichay Kommasith, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People's Army, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from March 4-6, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang said bilateral defence cooperation mechanisms have expanded in both scope and depth.
Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang receives Lieutenant General Saichay Kommasith, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People's Army on March 5. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) ꦐ– Defence cooperation has remained a key pillar in Vietnam-Laos relations, significantly strengthening political trust and the close bond between the two countries' armies, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang affirmed on March 5.
Receiving Lieutenant General Saichay Kommasith, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People's Army, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from March 4-6, Giang said bilateral defence cooperation mechanisms have expanded in both scope and depth.
Border security and order have been further reinforced, while collaboration in human resource training has been prioritised, he said, adding defence industry and military economic cooperation have also yielded positive results.
The host minister urged both sides to continue closely coordinating efforts to effectively implement cooperation framework agreed upon by the two defence ministries, as well as the outcomes of the recent trilateral meeting between the Party chiefs of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in February. Key priorities include enhancing personnel training quality, strengthening border management and protection, providing advisory support, assisting Laos in building a UN peacekeeping force, and preparing for the 2025 annual meeting of the three countries' defence ministers.
Saichay Kommasith highlighted the positive outcomes of Vietnam-Laos military cooperation and expressed gratitude for Vietnam’s support in helping Laos successfully assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024.
Moving forward, the two General Staffs will work together to effectively implement their cooperation plans in line with agreements signed by their respective defence ministries./.
PM Chinh highlighted the commitment of both sides to seriously, effectively, and decisively implement the agreements reached during the meeting between the two Politburos and the bilateral cooperation plan for 2025, noting that it is necessary to explore new ways to boost all-around cooperation from politics, foreign affairs, security and defence to investment, trade, transport connectivity, culture, education, healthcare, and science – technology.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam stressed that the tournament was part of the efforts to promote people-to-people diplomacy and business and investment cooperation between the Vietnamese and Lao business communities.
Highlighting Laos's vast potential for trade and investment cooperation, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said that Laos is an attractive investment destination, particularly in agriculture, tourism, logistics, and infrastructure development.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
