During the reception, Gen. Chien congratulated the guest on the successful working term in Vietnam. He expressed his pleasure that during Col. Bouchillon’s tenure, Vietnam and the U.S. officially upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development, creating favorable conditions for further promoting bilateral defense cooperation.
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An overview of the reception |
Meanwhile, the host acknowledged the positive outcomes achieved in defense cooperation between the two countries over the past time, particularly in delegation exchanges, dialogues and consultations, war legacy remediation, training, U.N. peacekeeping operations, cooperation between arms and services, coast and border guard forces, logistics, and defense industry, among others.
Gen. Chien also sent thanks to the U.S. for their support in accelerating efforts to address the consequences of post-war unexploded ordnance and chemical/dioxin contamination in Vietnam, as well as in the search, collection, and identification of remains of Vietnamese soldiers during the war.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien presents a gift to Colonel Thomas J. Bouchillon. |
Regarding the orientation for bilateral defense cooperation in the time to come, Gen. Chien required both sides to closely coordinate with each other to promote cooperation in war legacy remediation, defense industry, training, U.N. peacekeeping operations, collaboration between arms and services, military medicine, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and others. He hoped that the U.S. will continue to fulfill its commitment to supporting Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of unexploded ordnance and chemical/dioxin contamination left from the war.
The Vietnamese defense leader expressed his belief that in any situation, Col. Bouchillon will have a warm corner in his heart for the country and people of Vietnam, and the Vietnam People’s Army, as well as make active contribution to further strengthening the relations between the two countries and militaries.
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Gen. Chien and Col. Bouchillon in a joint photo with delegates of both sides |
For his part, Col. Bouchillon thanked the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam for its attention, support, and the positive working environment provided throughout his working term in Vietnam. He really appreciated the achievements made by Vietnam and the U.S. in addressing the consequences of war, emphasizing that this remains a priority task and a fundamental pillar in the defense cooperation between the two ministries.
Translated by Quynh Oanh