According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Laos, the annual meeting of the Ministers of Defense of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia took place in Vientiane on the afternoon of October 15.
The high-level delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, led by General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Political Bureau, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, and Minister of National Defence; the high-level delegation of the Lao Ministry of National Defence, led by General Khamlieng Outhakaysone, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Minister of National Defence; and the high-level delegation of the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, led by General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, attended the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Lao Minister of National Defence, General Khamlieng Outhakaysone, said that the annual meeting between the Ministers of National Defence of the three countries is a symbol of solidarity and friendship between Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
According to General Khamlieng Outhakaysone, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia are three countries that share a common border and a common destiny. The people of these three countries have a tradition of helping each other and fighting side-by-side against a common enemy.
Regardless of the conditions, circumstances, space, or time, the three countries cannot be separated. Therefore, the armed forces of the three countries must be the core force in building, preserving, protecting, and developing the precious friendship and solidarity between them.
General Tea Seiha reaffirmed his firm commitment to strengthening the traditional friendship and good neighborly relations that benefit the people of the three countries; he highly appreciated the effective cooperation between the three countries' armed forces based on mutual respect and trust, contributing to maintaining peace , stability, and prosperity in the border region as well as contributing to the building of the ASEAN Community.
For his part, General Phan Van Giang emphasized that Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia are close neighbors.
Historical and natural factors have created a strong and close-knit bond, enabling the three countries to support and complement each other, coexisting, developing, and protecting one another.
These three countries once shared the leadership of the Indochinese Communist Party in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism, and for national independence. Solidarity is a precious national tradition of all three nations.
Experience has proven that strengthening solidarity and close ties among the three countries and three armies is an objective necessity, a matter of survival, and a paramount factor in ensuring peace, stability, and development for each country.
Vietnam has always given top priority to continuously strengthening and consolidating the trusting and close relationship with Laos and Cambodia; and always cherishes the sincere and selfless support and assistance of these two countries in the struggle for national liberation and reunification in the past, as well as in the cause of national construction and defense today.
At the meeting, the Ministers of Defence of the three countries assessed that, in a volatile world and region, all three countries have maintained political stability and continued to achieve important results in socio-economic development and national defense and security.
Cooperation among the three countries has been strongly promoted, especially defense and security cooperation, which has always been an important pillar in the overall relationship between the three countries. The Ministries of Defense of the three countries have coordinated closely and effectively implemented the common understanding of the high-level leaders of the three countries.
Notably, timely information exchange and effective advice were provided to high-ranking leaders of the three countries on military, defense, and strategic issues affecting each country's national defense and security; close and effective cooperation between border protection forces contributed to maintaining a peaceful and stable border, creating a solid foundation for economic development and trade; and the work of disseminating information and educating the people and armed forces of the three countries, especially the younger generations, about the history, significance, and importance of preserving and promoting solidarity among the three countries was given high priority.
To further deepen defense cooperation among the three countries in the coming period, the Ministers of Defense of the three countries agreed on practical areas of cooperation.
Firstly, we must continue to strengthen and further consolidate the solidarity and close ties between the three countries and their armed forces; firmly maintain our position of not allowing any hostile forces to use the territory of one country to harm the interests of another; maintain annual meetings and contacts between the three Ministers and leaders of the Ministries of Defense and the armed forces of the three countries, while strengthening the exchange of information and providing effective advice to the high-level leaders of the three countries on military and defense matters.
Secondly, we must continue to strengthen cooperation in border management and protection, contributing to building a peaceful, cooperative, and sustainably developing border; regularly sharing information and situations, promptly detecting and effectively coordinating the handling of issues arising from the grassroots level.
Thirdly, we must continue to enhance coordination among the three countries' militaries in responding to non-traditional security challenges through sharing experiences and organizing exercises such as disease prevention and control, search and rescue operations, and combating cross-border crime.
Fourth , we must place greater emphasis on propaganda and education for the military and the people, especially the younger generation, about historical truths, the meaning, and the importance of the solidarity among the three countries for the destiny of each nation.
Fifth, continue to coordinate common positions at international and regional multilateral forums and mechanisms, especially those within ASEAN such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+); maintain ASEAN's solidarity and central role in international affairs.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-lao-campuchia-cung-co-quan-he-doan-ket-hop-tac-quoc-phong-vung-chac-post1070553.vnp
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