Phnom Penh (VNA) – Vietnam – Laos defencecooperation is always one of the important pillars in bilateral ties,Vietnamese and Lao defence ministers have affirmed.

During talks in Phnom Penh on December 28 with Politburomember of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and DefenceMinister Chansamone Chanyalath, Politburo member and Vice Secretary of theCentral Military Commission and Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich said the meetingtakes place at a time when the Lao People’s Army is preparing to celebrate its75th founding anniversary and the Vietnam People’s Army will markits 75th founding anniversary next year.

He added that the meeting will create a new driving force forand further deepen bilateral defence partnership.

Chanyalath, for his part, affirmed that Laos attaches importanceto relations with Vietnam, saying that bilateral defence relationship isspecial.

Both sides agreed to continue strengthening the sharing ofexperience in Party and political work, raising public awareness of friendshipbetween the two countries and armies, contributing to fostering traditionalfriendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the twopeoples and armies.

They pledged to monitor the implementation of signedcooperation agreements in 2019, especially in personnel training, consideringit an issue of strategic benefit to the two nations.

The ministers suggested that the two armies strengthenborder management and protection, with a focus on exchanges and twinning betweenlocalities and border units, and mutual support.

They also agreed to assign units concerned to reviewbilateral coordination for the 2015-2019 period, thereby proposing cooperationcontents for the time to come.

Following the talks, the two ministers signed a cooperationplan for 2019 between the two ministries.

Lich is in Cambodia to attend the Vietnam – Laos – Cambodiadefence ministers’ conference and the inauguration of a victory monument.-VNA