Defense Minister receives Lao Ambassador to Vietnam

(Bqp.vn) - On July 3, at the Ministry of National Defense’s headquarters, Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang received Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh.

General Phan Van Giang and Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh.

At the reception, General Phan Van Giang emphasized the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, saying that they have been constantly and intensively developing across all fields. Over the past time, defense cooperation has been recognized by the two countries’ senior leaders as one of the important pillars in Vietnam - Laos relations. General Phan Van Giang highlighted that on the basis of the protocol and yearly cooperation plan, the bilateral defense ties have developed in an intensive, substantive and effective fashion, importantly contributing to each country’s national construction and defense cause.

General Phan Van Giang presenting a souvenir to Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh.

General Phan Van Giang expressed his hope that in the time ahead, the two sides would continue upholding and tightening the relations between the two countries in general and the bilateral defense relations in particular, with a focus on such major fields as exchange of delegations, especially the high-level ones, reviewing of the Vietnam - Laos defense cooperation protocol in the 2020 - 2024 period and signing new protocol for the 2025 - 2029 period.

Congratulating Laos on successfully organizing meetings within ASEAN, General Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam always supports Laos to successfully perform its role as ASEAN Chair 2024.

All delegates in a joint photo.

For her part, Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh spoke highly of the outcomes of the bilateral defense relations in the past. She took this chance to express thanks to Vietnam for supporting Laos in fulfilling its ASEAN Chair 2024 and hoped that the country would continue its support.