The signing took place in Moc Chau district of Vietnam’s Son La province as part of the second border defense friendship exchange between the two armies of Vietnam and Laos.

The two ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation in Party and political work, and maintain annual high-level delegation exchanges and Deputy Minister-level Defense Policy Dialogues.

Both sides also agreed to enhance military cooperation, manage and protect borders and boundary markers, and cooperate in human resource training.

The Vietnamese side also requested that the Lao government and Ministry of National Defense continue to facilitate efforts in searching for, recovering, and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives in Laos during wartime.

General Giang affirmed that the two sides have achieved many important and substantive results over the past five years of implementing the Defense Cooperation Protocol for 2020-2024.

The two sides have regularly maintained regular visit exchanges, and upgraded facilities and monuments related to bilateral relations. On multilateral forums, the two armies have consistently demonstrated a spirit of solidarity and mutual support, making positive contributions to efforts in building the ASEAN community.

Vietnam and Laos have established numerous cooperation mechanisms, such as border defense friendship exchanges and Deputy Minister-level Defense Policy Dialogues. Their relevant forces have coordinated to ensure the stability of the borders and boundary markers.

The two sides have also increased cooperation in human resource training and defense industry cooperation.

General Chanyalath stated that border defense friendship exchanges continue to affirm their effectiveness as a distinctive cooperation model, reflecting the political determination of the parties, governments, and armies of both countries.

The two sides have maintained substantive cooperation to develop their common border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, contributing to the prosperity of each country and to regional and global peace and stability, he said.

The Vietnam – Laos second border defense exchange is taking place in Moc Chau district of Vietnam and Sop Bao district of Laos on October 22 - 23.

VOV