Defense Minister receives Singaporean Ambassador

At the reception

On this occasion General Giang congratulated the Singaporean diplomat on his appointment as Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam and wished him success in fulfilling his assigned missions, contributing to strengthening the Vietnam - Singapore strategic partnership in general and relations of the two armies in particular.

The Singaporean Ambassador also congratulated Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang on being promoted to the defense minister of Vietnam and stated he believes that in his new position Giang will make practical contributions to strengthening the relationship between the two countries in general and the two militaries in particular, in an intensive, effective and practical manner.

At the reception, General Giang highly appreciated the bilateral friendship and cooperation including defense ties over the past time. He said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, the bilateral friendship has been continuously nurtured and promoted by generations of leaders and people of the two countries.

Sr. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang presents a souvenir to Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam.

The Vietnamese defense minister affirmed that Vietnam has always treasured the relationship and cooperation with Singapore in particular and ASEAN countries in general and affirmed that the active participation of Singapore in ASEAN-hosted multilateral activities has contributed to strengthening intra-bloc solidarity and raising ASEAN’s stature in the region and the world. He hoped that Singapore will continue joining Vietnam’s and other ASEAN members’ efforts in realizing goals set by the ASEAN Community.

The two sides affirmed that on the basis of the implementation of the agreement on bilateral defense cooperation, the two sides have reaped remarkable achievements in high-level delegation and young officer exchanges, naval cooperation, military medicine, and training and cooperation in multilateral mechanisms.

In the coming time, the two countries will promote the organization of a number of virtual meetings, including the defense policy dialogue, meetings with joint working groups on bilateral defense cooperation and naval cooperation, security dialogues, and cooperation in response to COVID-19.

They will continue to complete procedures and accelerate the signing of an agreement on bilateral defense cooperation between the two governments in 2021 to replace the document signed in 2009.

Translated by Tran Hoai