The two defense ministers of Vietnam and Laos are about to meet at the Border Defense Friendship Exchange.

Colonel Tong Van Thanh, Deputy Director of the Propaganda Department, General Political Department, provided information about the exchange.

On October 15th, the Ministry of National Defence held a press conference to introduce the 2nd Vietnam-Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange.

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence, led the Vietnamese delegation, and General Chansamone Chanyalath, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Laos, led the Lao delegation in the exchange.

Further promote the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

Colonel Tong Van Thanh, Deputy Director of the Propaganda Department, General Political Department, said that this activity contributes to promoting and strengthening the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

"This activity contributes to maintaining a peaceful, stable, and prosperous environment in the region and the world, and is a practical way to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day," Colonel Tong Van Thanh emphasized.

As part of the exchange program, various activities will take place in Vietnam and Laos, such as greetings, painting border markers, planting friendship trees, witnessing joint patrols, and visiting joint exercises to apprehend cross-border criminals.

Alongside these activities, there was the inauguration of the classroom block at Long Sap Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School, talks between delegations from both countries and the signing of cooperation documents; visits and gift-giving to Pa Hang Primary and Secondary School, and exchanges on political work and young military officers from both countries through theatrical performances and live television broadcasts on Vietnam Television...

Lieutenant Colonel Bui Van Manh, representing the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, provided information at the meeting.

Many new features in the exchange activities.

According to information presented at the meeting, representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Border Guard Command stated that this exchange program has many new features in terms of how activities are organized.

This time, the two sides will hold a joint exercise to combat and apprehend cross-border criminals, ensuring security and safety in the border area (the first exercise could not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

This is one of the very important areas of cooperation between the border guard forces of the two countries.

Another new aspect of this exchange is the use of theatrical performances to facilitate political and youth military officer exchanges between the two countries.

Colonel Viengxay Soulivong, Lao Defense Attaché to Vietnam

Speaking at the meeting, Colonel Viengxay Soulivong, Lao Defense Attaché to Vietnam, emphasized that the 2nd Vietnam-Lao Border Defense Friendship Exchange is an opportunity for the people of both countries to see the role and importance of defense work and the contributions of the armed forces of both countries in ensuring stability and development in the border region.

The 2nd Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange is one of the key defense diplomacy events of the Vietnam People's Army in 2024.

This activity is significant in many respects, contributing to promoting and strengthening the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hai-bo-truong-quoc-phong-viet-nam-lao-sap-gap-nhau-tai-giao-luu-huu-nghi-quoc-phong-bien-gioi-20241015111944349.htm