5th Vietnam - Laos Defense Policy Dialogue

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Senior Lieutenant General Vongkham Phommakone co-chaired the 5th Vietnam - Laos Defense Policy Dialogue. (Source: Ministry of National Defense)

On March 28, in Luang Prabang, Laos, the 5th Vietnam - Laos Defense Policy Dialogue took place. Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, and Senior Lieutenant General Vongkham Phommakone, Deputy Minister of National Defense of Laos co-chaired the Dialogue.

At the Dialogue, the two sides discussed the world and regional situation and issues of mutual concern, highly appreciated the role of the region and ASEAN-led mechanisms, and affirmed their joint efforts to actively contribute to strengthening and consolidating ASEAN's solidarity and central role in the regional security structure.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that Vietnam's consistent stance is that relevant parties need to comply with international law and customs, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); comply with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and promote the early conclusion of negotiations and the signing of the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) in a practical and effective manner.

The two sides emphasized that, on the basis of the 4th Vietnam-Laos Defense Policy Dialogue, bilateral defense cooperation has been actively and effectively implemented, achieving many outstanding results in areas such as: exchanging delegations at all levels, especially high-level; exchanging experiences, communicating, maintaining substantive and effective dialogue and consultation mechanisms; training; cooperation in border management and protection; United Nations peacekeeping; coordinating and supporting each other at international multilateral mechanisms and forums as well as events hosted by each country's military...

In the coming time, on the basis of the signed documents between the two countries' Ministries of National Defense, the two sides will continue to effectively implement a number of key contents: contact and exchange of delegations at all levels; effectively maintain consultation and dialogue mechanisms; education and training; cooperation in border management and protection; United Nations peacekeeping; military law; continue to coordinate and support each other at international multilateral mechanisms and forums as well as events organized by each side...

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Senior Lieutenant General Vongkham Phommakone signed the meeting minutes. (Source: Ministry of National Defense)

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien respectfully invited the Lao Minister of National Defense, Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People's Army, Director of the General Political Department of the Lao People's Army and Senior Lieutenant General Vongkham Phommakone to Vietnam to attend the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025); and invited the Lao Ministry of National Defense to send military personnel to join the parade rehearsal for the Anniversary.

At the end of the dialogue, the two sides signed the minutes of the 5th Vietnam - Laos Defense Policy Dialogue.

On the same day, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien led a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to visit the Luang Prabang Provincial Military Command.

Pleased to welcome the visiting delegation, Major General Sivixay Phengsantisouk, Political Commissar of the Luang Prabang Provincial Military Command, said that the cooperative relationship between the Luang Prabang Provincial Military Command and the Military Commands of Son La and Dien Bien provinces of Vietnam has achieved many positive results.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien talks with Major General Sivixay Phengsantisouk, Political Commissar of the Luang Prabang Provincial Military Command. (Source: Ministry of National Defense)

The two sides regularly exchange information and situations related to crime, national border security, immigration and exit situations on both sides of the border, and free migration activities, as well as strengthen and maintain bilateral patrol activities on the border in the spirit of signed agreements.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien was pleased to learn that the Provincial Military Command had established a sisterhood with the Dien Bien Provincial Military Command and had a cooperative relationship with the Son La Provincial Military Command; highly appreciated the results that the parties had achieved in the past time; expressed his impression with the long tradition, as well as the continuous growth of the Luang Prabang Provincial Military Command in terms of organization and force during the process of construction, combat and growth.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien suggested that in the coming time, the two sides continue to effectively implement cooperation contents according to the Protocol and the annual cooperation plan between the two countries' Ministries of National Defense; promptly exchange information on the situation, coordinate to effectively handle issues arising in the border area, and effectively combat cross-border crimes.

He affirmed that the Ministry of National Defense and the Vietnam People's Army are ready to create the best conditions for units to enhance cooperation, tighten solidarity and mutual understanding, especially between the Luang Prabang Provincial Military Command and units of the Border Guard and Military Region 2/Vietnam. Thereby, contributing to strengthening solidarity, mutual understanding and fostering the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/doi-thoai-chinh-sach-quoc-phong-viet-nam-lao-lan-thu-5-309176.html