Russian Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov met Deputy Minister of National Defence of Laos Colonel General Chansamone Chanyalath

On December 15, Russian Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov met Deputy Minister of National Defence of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Colonel General Chansamone Chanyalath in Moscow.

Prospects of development of military and technical cooperation between both countries were discussed.

Deputy Minister of National Defence of Laos supported the Russian efforts in countering international terrorism. He stressed that Vietnam was sympathetic to the activities of the Russian Armed Forces in Syria. Moreover, some of international terrorist groups in the Middle East are being replenished by representatives of Asian-Pacific region.

Chansamone Chanyalath expressed his condolences in connection with the air crash of the Russian A-321 airliner caused by a terrorist attack over the Sinai, as well as with the Russian servicemen killed by the provocative actions of Turkey.

The military commander from Laos highly appreciated the contribution of the USSR and Russia to the establishment of the Armed Forces of Laos. He mentioned that the majority of graduates from the Soviet (Russian) military universities were occupying top-level positions in the military hierarchy of the country.

Colonel General Chansamone Chanyalath stressed that the policy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic was focused on comprehensive development of the military and technical cooperation with Russia.

Now the main direction of cooperation development between both countries in the military field is training of the Laotian officers in the Russian military universities on a non-repayable and preferential basis.

In his turn, the Russian Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov confirmed the readiness of the Russian Defence Ministry to develop mutually advantageous military cooperation with Laos. He invited the leadership of the Laotian military department to the International military and technical forum Army-2016 and the V Moscow Conference on International Security.

Moreover, taking into consideration the chairmanship of Laos in the ASEAN in 2016, the positive potential of close cooperation within the Defence Ministers Meeting of ASEAN and its dialogue partners was mentioned.

There was emphasized the importance of meaningful dialogue on the issues of defence and security, which would contribute to improvement of mutual understanding and trust as well as build-up of interaction between both military departments.

The Laotian delegation expressed an interest in usage of the Russian experience in the field of military medicine and mine clearance.