PM Phạm Minh Chính (right) receives General Chansamone Chanyalath, Deputy PM and Minister of National Defence of Laos, in Hà Nội on July 25. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on July 25 received General Chansamone Chanyalath, Deputy PM and Minister of National Defence of Laos, who came to attend the state funeral for Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State, Government, and people, PM Chính thanked the Lao Party, State, Government, and people for sharing this great loss, as well as their sentiments towards Việt Nam in general and the General Secretary and his family in particular.

Highlighting the sentiments and the top priority General Secretary Trọng consistently gave to the special Việt Nam - Laos relations, he said the late leader considers cooperating with and assisting Laos as a task of Vietnam.

The Party chief used to affirm that defence - security is one of the most important pillars of the special bilateral ties, according to PM Chính.

The Vietnamese Government leader asked the two countries’ armies to keep strengthening solidarity and cooperation in improving the defence capacity; protect the shared borderline of peace and stability, thus actively enhancing the material and spiritual life of border residents and boosting cross-border trade; increase high-level mutual visits and meetings; work together to hold the border defence friendship exchanges between the two countries; and step up partnerships in education, training, and human resources development.

PM Chính also congratulated Laos on its successful organisation of meetings during the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2024, affirming Vietnam’s consistent support for and readiness to give assistance within its capacity to help Laos successfully hold the ASEAN Chairmanship this year.

Offering condolences to the Party, State, and people of Việt Nam and the bereaved family, Chansamone Chanyalath said the Lao Party, State, and people grieved the passing of General Secretary Trọng.

He agreed with his host’s opinions and said the Laos Ministry of National Defence will coordinate with its Vietnamese counterpart to effectively carry out cooperation activities, especially all-level delegation exchanges, ideological education, the sharing of defence experience, border management and safeguarding, logistics, military technique, and military medicine, among others, thereby contributing to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. VNS