Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) shakes hands with Lt. Gen. Khamliang Outhakaysone, Ha Noi, Thursday, June 2, 2022. (Photo: VGP)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received visiting Lt. Gen. Khamliang Outhakaysone, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army, in Hanoi on June 2, according to VNA.

Pham Minh Chinh 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 Vietnam would contribute to nurturing and enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and the two armies.

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

Vietnamese Prime Minister 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 the implementation of high-level agreements reached at the annual meeting of the two countries' political bureaus, Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh's Vietnam visit, and 44th session of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

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, and 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 Vietnam 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 Minh Chinh urged the two armies to bolster cooperation in capacity building, protecting the shared borderline, combating cross-border crime among others.

Informing his host about the outcomes of the talks between the general staff of the Vietnamese and Lao armies earlier the same day, Khamliang Outhakaysone said the two sides agreed on many practical issues so as to effectively implement agreements reached by their countries’ leaders. He congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in socio-economic development, the Covid-19 combat, along with the successful organization of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), according to VNA.

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

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