The two sides discussed the regionaland global security- political situation, and the cooperation process at theASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM Plus, reviewed the outcomes ofdefence collaboration and agreed on measures to boost partnership in the nearfuture.
They agreed to review cooperationcontents of the Protocol for the 2015-2019 period and the cooperation plan in2019 between the two defence ministries, notably Party and political work, coordinationbetween border guards, information exchange, and personnel training. Inparticular, the joint patrols and fight against trans-border crimes and illegalimmigration has contributed to maintaining political security and social orderand safety in the two countries’ border areas.
Both sides vowed to effectivelyrealise the Protocol and the annual cooperation plan in order to further deepenbilateral defence links, including raising young generations’ awareness about thebilateral friendship and solidarity between the Vietnamese and Lao people and armies,as well as discussing strategic issues.
They held that the annual deputyministerial-level defence policy exchange is an important mechanism to reachconsensus on strategic issues and orientations for defence cooperation. The twosides agreed to renew coordination between border guards such as search andrescue, drills against trans-border crimes, all-level border defence exchanges,step up twinning among localities and border army units, support each other’sinitiatives within multilateral mechanisms, especially ADMM and ADMM Plus.
Later the same day, Vinh paidcourtesy calls on Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisulith and Minister ofNational Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath.
The Lao leaders affirmed thatdefence cooperation is a significant pillar and a special bond in the traditionalfriendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the twoParties, States, armies and people.
They suggested seeking new cooperationfields and stressed that the Lao government, defence ministry and themselveswill continue supporting the enhancement of ties between the two defenceministries and army units of Laos and Vietnam.-VNA