Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and Lieutenant General Khamliang Outhakaysone, Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People's Army(Photo: Trong Phu/ VOV)

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and Lieutenant General Khamliang Outhakaysone, Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People's Army, reached the consensus during their talks in Hanoi as part of the Lao officer’s visit to Vietnam from June 1 to 4.

They shared the view that cooperation in defence remains a pillar in the Vietnam-Laos relationship, with regular meetings and visits, and effective implementation of collaboration mechanisms.

The two sides spoke of the first Vietnam-Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange last December, along with partnerships between military zones and border guards.

Joint efforts have been made in the combat against cross-border crimes, contributing to building a shared borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, they said.

Vietnam and Laos pledge to strengthen defense ties

They held that the mutual support of medical equipment for the COVID-19 fight vividly demonstrates the solidarity between the two armies.

The two sides agreed to step up information sharing between their border guards, conduct more joint patrols and continue to coordinate to fight against crimes and illegal migration, and ensuring security and safety in border areas. They will also pay more attention to personnel training and information work.

Lieutenant General Khamliang Outhakaysone pays a courtesy visit to Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang(Photo: Trong Phu/VOV)

Following the talks, Khamliang Outhakaysone paid a courtesy visit to Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang, who said cooperation in bilateral defence has been deepened across spheres.

The Vietnamese Defence Ministry hopes for stronger multi-faceted cooperation between the two sides, the General noted.