PM hosts reception for Chief of General Staff of Lao People's Army

Pham congratulated Khamlieng upon his appointment as Deputy Minister of the Lao People's Army (from February 2022), expressing his belief that his ongoing visit to Viet Nam would contribute to nurturing and enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and the two armies.

Khamlieng's Viet Nam visit took place on the occasion of the 60th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the two countries.

Pham briefed the guest about recent socieo-economic, security and defense situation, and international integration in Viet Nam, congratulating on the great achievements gained by the Party, State and people of Laos over the past time, especially the neighboring country's good management of the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.

From the beginning of this year, both countries have exchanged a number of delegations at all levels, coordinated closely in implementation of high-level agreements reaced at the annual meeting of the two countries' political bureaus, Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh's Viet Nam visit, and 44th session of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, said Pham.

He went on to say that the changing political, security, and economic environment in the region and the world requires countries to cement solidarity and uphold multilateralism.

Prime Minister Pham called on both countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and support each other to safeguard independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and build up an independent and self-reliant economy in association with active and proactive international integration.

He affirmed the Party, State, Government and people of Viet Nam attach great importance to fostering the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Laos.

As defense cooperation with Laos remains one of the key pillars of the bilateral ties, for peace, stability and development in each country and for peace in the region and the world, Pham urged the two armies to bolster cooperation in capacity building, protecting the shared borderline, combating cross-border crime among others.

For his part, Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone congratulated on Viet Nam's development achievements over the recent past and successful organization of the 31st SEA Games.

Khamlieng reassured that Laos always gives high priority to nurturing and promoting the special, loyal and close-knit relationship between the two countries./.