Vientiane (VNA) – The Vietnam People’s Army (VPA)will continue close and effective cooperation with the Lao People’s Army tohelp strengthen the two countries’ special relations, Deputy Defence Ministerand Chief of the General Staff of the VPA Phan Van Giang said.

He made the remark at a meeting with Lao PrimeMinister Thongloun Sisoulith on March 15, part of his official visit to Laosfrom March 15 – 17. This is also the first trip to a foreign country by Giangsince he was appointed as the Chief of the General Staff of the VPA.

He expressed his delight at the two countries’ growingrelations in all fields, adding that Vietnam gives the top priority to the Vietnam-Laosfriendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

PM Thongloun Sisoulith affirmed that the LaoGovernment will create the best possible conditions for the two armies tofoster ties in all aspects. It also supports Vietnamese businesses, includingmilitary-run firms, to invest in Laos.

Congratulating Vietnam on its enormousachievements, he voiced his belief that the country will further develop underthe leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Receiving the Vietnamese delegation the same day,Lao Defence Minister Chansamone Chanyalath highlighted the sound development ofcooperation between the two armies’ general staff, noting that the armiesshould bolster collaboration in many spheres, including in advising their Partyand State leaders about intensifying defence-security and improving combatreadiness capacity.

He also promised favourable conditions for thetwo general staff’s cooperation on the basis of the agreements between thedefence ministries.

Earlier, Lieutenant General Giang had talks withLao Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’sArmy Suvone Leuangbounmy.

He said the two armies’ stronger connectionswill help solidify the traditional amity, special solidarity and all-roundcooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The officers exchanged viewpoints on issues ofshared concern and hailed the cooperation outcomes, especially in mutualvisits, personnel training, and cultural exchanges to mark the countries’ majorholidays.

They agree that the two general staff will stepup coordination and fully and effectively carry out cooperation activities soas to solidify mutual trust and comprehensive cooperation between the twoParties, States, peoples and armies, thereby helping to ensure peace and politicaland social stability for national development and defeating plots to ruinbilateral relations.

Concluding the talks, they witnessed the signingof a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Vietnamese DefenceMinistry’s Institute for Military Strategy and the Lao Defence Ministry’sMilitary Science and History Department.-VNA