Enhance co-operation between naval forces in the East Sea,

Minister of National Defence General Phung Quang Thanh yesterday (July 13) met with the ambassadors of Laos and Malaysia , who came to say goodbye  to him before concluding their terms of office in Vietnam .

At the separate receptions for Lao Ambassador Sunthone Sayachak, Minister Thanh expressed thanks for her great contributions to developing the special relationship between the two countries.

He said that the Vietnamese and Lao armed forces and people stood side by side in their struggle for national independence in the past. Therefore, the two countries’ present and future generations should respect, preserve and promote that special relationship.

In past years, the defence co-operation between the two countries had been unceasingly strengthened in all fields, Minister Thanh said, adding that the Vietnamese Defence Ministry is ready to train Lao army officers in Vietnam .

While receiving Malaysian Ambassador Dato Lim Kim Eng, The Vietnam Defence Minister spoke highly of the ambassador’s contributions to fostering the multifaceted ties between the two countries, including defence ties.

He said that recently, the two countries’ armies have strengthened exchanges of high-ranking visits, signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral defence co-operation and implemented co-operation in training.

The minister suggested that the two sides continued to boost co-operation between their naval forces and hold joint patrols in the East Sea , helping maintain a peaceful environment in the region and create conditions for the two countries’ fishermen to exploit aquatic resources in territorial waters their respective.