Hanoi (VNA) – The Minister ofNational Defence, General Ngo Xuan Lich, received Lao Ambassador to VietnamSengphet Houngboungnuang in Hanoi on January 20, pledging optimal conditionsfor the diplomat to fulfill his duties, thus promoting bilateral special ties,especially defence links, to a new level.

Congratulating Houngboungnuang on hisappointment as Ambassador of Laos to Vietnam, Lich, who is also a Politburo memberand Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission, expressed his beliefthat the diplomat will excellently fulfill his duties to contribute to thegreat friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, includingin defence, between the two countries.

He emphasised that the great friendship, specialsolidarity, and comprehensive cooperation are the priceless assets nurtured bylate Presidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane, and Souphanouvong, as well asgenerations of the countries’ leaders and people.

He thanked Laos for its active support,participation, and contributions to Vietnam’s 2020 Chairmanship, includingactivities held by his ministry, especially the ASEAN Defence Ministers’Meeting, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, and related events.

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence willcontinue sharing experience and providing support in the COVID-19 combat andhelp the Lao People’s Army to improve its capacity, the minister affirmed.

Congratulating Vietnam on its successful 2020ASEAN Chairmanship, Sengphet Houngboungnuang echoed his host’s views on theVietnam - Laos relations, noting that defence links are among the pillars oftheir ties and receive attention from their countries and armies’ leaders.

The two sides are pushing ahead withimplementing the annual cooperation protocol and plan, with a focus ondelegation exchange; personnel training; coordination between border managementand protection forces in fighting against trans-national crimes, smuggling, anddrug trafficking; along with border patrol to prevent illegal crossings to helpcombat COVID-19 in each country, according to him.

The ambassador vowed utmost efforts to helprelations between the Lao and Vietnamese Parties, States, people, and armiesdevelop more and more strongly.

Also on January 20, a delegation of the DefenceMinistry led by Colonel Pham Manh Thang, Deputy Director of the ForeignRelations Department, visited the Lao Embassy in Hanoi to extendcongratulations on the 72nd founding anniversary of the Lao People’s Army(January 20, 1949 - 2021) and the success of the 11th National Congress of theLao People’s Revolutionary Party./.