Defense: Vietnam and Laos sign defense cooperation agreement

Vietnam and Laos are to boost defence cooperation.

During a meeting between Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh and visiting Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Douangchai Phichit, the two sides informed each other of the socio-economic development, defence and security issues in their countries and exchanged experiences in building armed forces.

Vietnam News Agency reports the two countries agreed to continue promoting cooperation in exchange of delegations, personnel training, border management, combating smuggling activities, and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos during the war.

Gen. Thanh and Sen. Lt. Gen. Douangchai Phichit also signed a protocol on defence cooperation between the Viet Nam People’s Army and the Laos People’s Army.