At the meeting, Gen. Giang congratulated the U.S. diplomat on his successful tenure. He spoke highly of the ambassador’s contribution to the Vietnam - U.S. relations, particularly the milestone in 2023 when the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, laying a firm foundation to bring the two countries’ relationship to a new stage of development.
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General Phan Van Giang (right) and U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper |
The Vietnamese defense chief confirmed that Vietnam always considers the U.S. one of its important partners, especially in economy-trade. He hoped that the two countries would further cooperate on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, respect for international law, each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institutions, positively contributing to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development.
He underlined effective implementation of bilateral defense cooperation in such fields as delegation exchanges, dialogues - consultations, war legacy settlement, training, U.N. peacekeeping, and service-to-service cooperation.
Gen. Giang expressed thanks to the U.S. for accelerating the settlement of consequences of post-war bombs and mines, and toxic chemicals/dioxin and the search for, gathering, and identification of Vietnamese soldiers who died or went missing in action during the war. He hoped that in the time ahead, the two sides will continue to coordinate in implementing these areas of cooperation on the basis of signed agreements, guidance from senior leaders, and the consensus reached between the leadership of the two defense ministries.
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The host talks to the guest. |
Affirming that Vietnamese MND attaches importance to and prioritizes cooperation with the U.S. in war legacy relief in the spirit of “setting the past aside, looking towards the future,” Gen. Giang expressed his hope that the U.S. will continue to translate its commitments into concrete support for Vietnam in this field.
He also noted that Vietnam will closely coordinate and facilitate the search for U.S. servicemen missing in action in the war, and hoped for the U.S.’s continued sharing of information, documents, memorabilia related to fallen and missing Vietnamese soldiers.
Acknowledging great efforts of Ambassador Marc Knapper, the host hoped that in his new post, the diplomat would continue paying attention to and creating conditions for the two countries’ defense ties.
For his part, U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper expressed his pleasure at witnessing the increasingly substantive and comprehensive development of bilateral relations across all fields, including diplomacy, economy, and culture. In particular, in 2023, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, in which defense cooperation constitutes an important pillar.
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Gen. Giang presents a souvenir to the U.S. diplomat. |
The diplomat conveyed his appreciation for the efforts of Gen. Giang personally, and the leadership at all levels of the Vietnamese MND, in promoting bilateral defense cooperation. He emphasized that war legacy settlement remains an important area of cooperation that both sides continue to prioritize and advance.
Expressing his regret at having to leave Vietnam, Ambassador Marc Knapper affirmed that, in whatever position he may hold, he will continue to support and promote Vietnam - U.S. relations, contributing to further achievements in bilateral ties in the time ahead.
Translated by Mai Huong