Hanoi, June 9 -- Phan noted with pleasure at the comprehensive and increasingly substantive growth of bilateral defense cooperation, saying that defense ties have become a key pillar of the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion between Viet Nam and Laos.

He suggested both countries should focus on exchanging delegations at all levels, maintaining the existing cooperation mechanisms, enhancing cooperation in Party affairs and political work, coordinating closely in preparing for the 3rd Viet Nam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange and the joint drill among the armed forces of Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Phan also urged the two sides to direct functional agencies to propose practical...