Vietnam, France solidify security- defence cooperation
VOV.VN -The first Vietnam-France dialogue on security and defence strategy was held in Paris on September 18 amid celebrations to mark the 45th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties with the highlight of the most recent France visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in March 2018.
Among prominent officials at the dialogue were Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, Senior Lieutenant General Pham Ngoc Minh, French Minister of State for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Baptiste Lemoyne.
At the event, French Minister of State for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Baptiste Lemoyne expressed joy at the positive development of the partnership between the two nations since their strategic partnership was established in 2013.
He agreed upon the need to intensify delegation exchange at all levels and effectively realize cooperation mechanisms, including a dialogue on security and defence strategy, a dialogue on defence policies, and an annual high-level economic dialogue.
The French diplomat described economic cooperation as a key pillar in the Vietnam-France strategic partnership as both nations have become an important trade partner to each other, with bilateral trade rising to US$4.6 billion in 2017.
With regard to defence cooperation, the two sides highly appreciated the delegation exchange between the defence ministries and militaries and the France visit by Vietnamese Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich.
They were of the same mind about stronger affiliation in personnel training, military medicine, hydrograph, the defence industry, and UN peacekeeping operations.
The officials also compared notes regional and international issues of shared concern and pledged to boost coordinated activities at multilateral forums, while supporting initiatives and efforts to promote peace and stability in the region and the world.
Vietnam assured its readiness to work hand in hand with France in strengthening maritime security in the time to come.