Defence officials of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia pose for a photo at the ceremony in Hanoi on December 20

The presentation ceremony was held in Hanoi onDecember 20, on the occasion of the VPA’s 75th founding anniversary (December22).

On behalf of the President of Vietnam, DefenceMinister, Gen.

Ngo Xuan Lich presented the first-class Independence Order tothe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Cambodia, Gen. Tea Banh,to honour the latter’s dedication to the bilateral defence ties, which hashelped strengthen the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperationbetween the two countries.

Representing the President of Laos, thecountry’s Defence Minister Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath presented the first-classIssara (Freedom) Order to Minister Lich and the second-class Issara Order tohead of the VPA’s General Department of Politics Gen. Luong Cuong.

With their contributions to the time-testedfriendship and all-round cooperation between the peoples and militaries ofVietnam and Cambodia, Lich and Cuong were also granted with the first-classFriendship Orders of the Kingdom of Cambodia by Gen. Tea Banh.

Expressing their pride to receive the honours,on behalf of the Vietnamese Defence Ministry’s leaders, Gen. Lich thanked theState of Laos and the Kingdom of Cambodia for their special attention toofficers and soldiers of the VPA.

He emphasised that the friendship and solidarityamong the three countries are the factor ensuring the success of theirrevolutions and national development and defence in the past, at present, aswell as in the future.

Vietnam will serve as the ASEAN Chair in 2020,which will be an important year for implementing the ASEAN Community blueprintsfor the next five years. The year will also mark the 25-year membership of thecountry in the regional bloc.

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defencewishes to receive more coordination and support from its Lao and Cambodiancounterparts at the regional forum so that it can fulfill its responsibility,thus helping to boost ASEAN’s solidarity, enhance the bloc’s strength, andpromote the building of a cohesive and strong ASEAN, the minister noted.

Addressing the event, Minister Tea Banhappreciated the VPA’s support for Cambodia to overthrow the Pol Pot genocidalregime.

The Friendship Orders bestowed upon Lich andCuong help reflect his country’s gratitude to the VPA’s heroic sacrifices helpingwith Cambodia’s revival and development, along with its contributions to thetwo countries’ solid friendship and multifaceted cooperation, he added.

Highlighting the Laos-Vietnam traditionalsolidarity, Minister Chansamone Chanyalath affirmed that the Lao army andpeople always bear in mind that every success of Laos’ revolution in the pastas well as national development and defence at present is associated with theprecious solidarity and assistance from the Vietnamese army and people.

He expressed thanks to the Vietnamese Party,Government, army and people for their valuable sentiments for the Lao army andpeople./.VNA