Minister of Defence, General Phan Văn Giang (right) had talks with Lao Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh in Hà Nội on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Pha

HÀ NỘI — General Phan Văn Giang, member of the Politburo, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence, hosted separate receptions for the ambassadors of Laos and Japan to Việt Nam in Hà Nội on Wednesday.

Receiving Lao Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh, General Giang stressed that defence cooperation continues to be one of the important pillars in the bilateral relations.

On the basis of the protocol and annual plans on defence cooperation, ties between the two countries in this regard have become increasingly practical and effective in all fields, making an important contribution to the cause of national development and safeguarding in each country, Giang said.

Congratulating Laos on successfully organising ASEAN conferences, he affirmed Việt Nam's consistent support for Laos to successfully fulfill its role as the ASEAN Chair in 2024.

The general expressed his hope that the two sides will continue to maintain and tighten their traditional friendship in general and defence cooperation in particular, with a focus on key areas such as exchanging delegations, especially high-level ones, reviewing the implementation of the Việt Nam-Laos defence cooperation protocol for 2020-24, and signing a new one for 2025-29.

Appreciating the Vietnamese Party, State and People’s Army's support for Laos, including the Lao People's Army, Khamphao Ernthavanh said that the two countries have carried out various practical and effective cooperation activities, such as communications about the bilateral friendship, border management, personnel training, and search for and repatriation of martyrs' remains.

The ambassador expressed her wish that Việt Nam will maintain its assistance for Laos, pledging she will do her utmost to nurture and promote relations between the two countries and the two armies.

Minister of Defence, General Phan Văn Giang (fifth) and Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki. — Photo from People's Army Newspaper

Hosting Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki, General Giang emphasised that bilateral defence collaboration has gained important achievements and become a pillar in the Việt Nam-Japan relations as seen in mutual visits, cooperation between their services and arms, human resources training, cyber security, war aftermath settlement, and maritime security.

Perceiving that there remains an ample room for defence cooperation, the host official asked the diplomat to help promote the effectiveness of existing collaboration mechanisms and further develop defence ties, thus contributing to the Việt Nam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

Ito Naoki applauded the fruitful defence cooperation between the two countries, affirming that he will exert efforts to help bilateral ties, including in defence, to develop even more in the coming time. — VNS