Nay Pyi Taw October 11
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who is on a goodwill visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic at the invitation of Lao Minister of National Defence Lieutenant General Chansamone CHANYALATH, was welcomed with the Guard of Honour at the Lao Ministry of Defence this morning.Also present on the occasion together with the Senior General were Lt-Gen Than Tun Oo of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief(Army) and senior military officers, Myanmar Ambassador to Laos U Ko Ko Naing and Myanmar Military Attaché (Army, Navy and Air) Col Kyaw Kyaw Min. The Lao National Defence Minister was accompanied by senior military officers from the Lao People’s Armed Forces.
First, the Senior General and party arrived at the office of Lao Ministry of Defence where the welcoming ceremony would be held and were welcomed by the Lao Minister of National Defence. Then, the Senior General and the Lao Minister of National Defence took the salute of the Guard of Honour and inspected it.
The Senior General and the Lao Minister of National Defence introduced senior military officers of both countries to each other and posed for documentary photo.
Next, the Senior General and Lao Minister of National Defence Lieutenant General Chansamone CHANYALATH held talks at the parlour of the ministry.
At the meeting, the Senior General said Myanmar and Laos are old and good friend countries. His goodwill visit to Laos is to further promote cooperation between the two armed forces of both countries.The two countries have been cementing diplomatic relations since 1955 and they joined the ASEAN together. Both are developing countries and their ethnics in border region are in common culture and custom. The Laos-Myanmar friendship bridge has been built and opened for ensuring relations between the two countries. Both countries need to promote bilateral trade. Likewise, the Senior General said the two countries and two armed forces need to exchange information to ensure peace and stability and eradicate narcotic drug trafficking through cooperation.
The Lao Minister of National Defence said the goodwill visits and discussions further promote friendly ties between the two countries and two armed forces. The two countries having good traditions on friendly relations in the history since yore are further enhancing relations. At present, he said cementing of friendly relations benefits both countries.
Next, they cordially exchanged views on promotion of friendly ties between the two armed forces of the two countries, training affairs and exchange of medical technological experiences,exchange of goodwill visits of two armed forces at different levels, and beefing up the border trade.
After the meeting, the Senior General and the Lao Minister of National Defence exchanged commemorative gifts. Next, the Senior General laid a wreath at the Laos Memorial and paid tribute.
In the evening, the Senior General received Deputy Minister of the Lao Ministry of National Defence and Chief of General Staff Department Lieutenant General Souvone LEUANGBOUNMY and frankly exchanged views on exchange of goodwill visits of leaders from the two armed forces at different levels to promote relations,effective cooperation in peace and stability in border region of the two countries,training affairs, exchange of experiences in medical technology and preparedness of natural disasters, exchange of sport contingents and cultural troupes of two armed forces,and matters related to further enhancement of friendly ties between the two armed forces.
After the meeting, the Senior General and the Deputy Minister of the Lao Ministry of National Defence and Chief of General Staff Department exchanged commemorative gifts and had documentary photo taken together with those present.
On arrival at No (497)infantry battalion of the Lao People’s Armed Forces, the Senior General and party were welcomed by Head of the battalion Colonel Udon Umsadda and senior officers.
At the meeting hall of the battalion, the head of the battalion clarified history of the battalion, organizational setup, and assistance given by the battalion to Lao people whenever they face natural disasters. The Senior General also explained that servicemen need to carry out not only State defence duty but also public welfare tasks. Servicemen of Myanmar Tatmadaw are performing State defence duty as well as public welfare tasks. It needs to uplift the prestige of battalion by serving the public interest.
Afterwards, the Senior General and party posed for documentary photo together with the head of battalion and battalion officers. After watching skill demonstrations of special task force officers,servicemen and servicewomen from the battalion,exercises in special military tactics of the Lao People’s Armed Forces and exercise of night warfare, the Senior General and party had documentary photo taken together with those officers, servicemen and servicewomen from the skill demonstrations. Later,the Senior General presented cash award to the officers, servicemenand servicewomen who performed the skill demonstrations.
