Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia boost border defence ties

The leaders of defence forces from Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia have taken a step forward in strengthening defence and security along their shared borders.

The ministers of defence of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia shake hands after planting a tree symbolising their friendship.

Ties between the three countries’ defence ministries were enhanced during the first Border Defence Friendship Exchange meeting held in Vietnam last week.
Laos’ Deputy Prime Minister and National Defence Minister, General Chansamone Chanyalath, led the Lao delegation attending the event.
Vietnam’s Defence Minister, General Phan Van Giang, welcomed the Lao delegation, as well as the Cambodian delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, General Tea Seiha.
During an official welcoming ceremony, the three delegations gathered at a border marker at the point where Vietnam’s Kon Tum, Laos’ Attapeu, and Cambodia’s Ratanakiri provinces meet.
They repainted the border marker and planted a tree of friendship at the spot.
The Border Defence Friendship Exchange meeting was organised as part of the three countries’ defence cooperation plan for 2023.
The event served to strengthen friendship, solidarity and practical cooperation between the three border defence forces, as well as between local authorities and the peoples of the three countries.
The gathering symbolised the countries’ desire to create a border of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation and development.
Speaking at the meeting, General Chansamone said “This meeting is particularly significant and is a historic event, as it is the first time our three armies have jointly gathered to express their friendship and solidarity.”
“It builds on the existing peaceful nature of our border areas, which has been maintained through strong political stability. Local authorities, border defence forces and the people living in our border areas have jointly strengthened unity and helped to resist and suppress the activities of hostile elements that have sought to divide this unity,” he added.
“Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam have worked together to tackle transnational crimes such as the drug trade, the transport of weapons, human trafficking, unregulated border crossing and settlement on the part of local people, illegal immigration, illegal exploitation of natural resources, and other crimes,” General Chansamone said.
“We must continue to ensure that our shared borders are areas of peace, friendship and sustainable development, based on the spirit of unity and love that exists between our three countries,” he added.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update December 18, 2023)