Minister of Defence Phung Quang Thanh and Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed during a meeting in Hanoi on March 9.

Regarding bilateral defence cooperation, General Thanh expressed his hope that the Lao Ambassador will continue to be a bridge to boost ties.

He highlighted that both nations need to deepen defence relations to meet the two peoples’ interests, focusing on education and training, exchanging army-building experience as well as enhancing collaboration in border protection.

Exchanges should be enhanced to help reduce poverty in shared border areas while preventing illegal activities and conspiracy against the two countries’ traditional relations.

In the past years, the two countries have worked closely in defence and security and in building their shared border of peace and comprehensive development, contributing to safeguarding their political stability and social order.

Trade has grown as the two countries signed a new bilateral trade pact, a border trade agreement and are working on a master border trade development plan. Both signed a memorandum of understanding on a cooperation strategy in transport for 2016-2025 with a vision towards 2030