At the reception, General Vinh briefed the delegates on missions and outcomes of external defense relations of the military in the current context.

In addition, under the direction of the Defense Ministry, relevant agencies and units have joined hands in conducting UXO clearance, overcoming consequences of toxic chemicals left behind from the war, and participating in UN peacekeeping operations.

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At the reception

Notably, since 2014, Vietnam has deployed troops to UN peacekeeping missions in South Sudan and the Central African Republic and sent the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 1 to South Sudan. Meanwhile, the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 2 is expected to be dispatched to South Sudan this month to replace the first one.

The general emphasized that in the coming time, Vietnam will continue to pursue its consistent foreign policy of independence, peace, cooperation, and development based on equality, mutual benefits, and compliance within basic principles of international law. In particular, international defense integration is a part of the national defense strategy and a part of the overall strategy for international integration throughout 2020. 

Furthermore, the ministry plans to perform external defense affairs and international defense integration actively, proactively, and comprehensively in accordance with the country's conditions and capacity as well as with the common trends in the region and the world, he added.

Regarding bilateral defense relations, Vietnam will further expand cooperative ties with countries practically, stably, and sustainably, with priorities given to strengthening links with neighboring countries, big countries, ASEAN member countries, and traditionally-friendly countries.

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Delegates in a group photo

The country will continue to enhance defense relations and establish cooperative mechanisms with several potential partners that are appropriate to each side’s interests in politics, defense, and security.  

The Vietnamese diplomats shared experiences in coordination between Vietnam’s representative agencies and defense attache offices abroad. They urged the Defense Ministry and its affiliated functional units to continue issuing directions and instructions on defense relations and defense cooperation between Vietnam and the Vietnam People’s Army and countries where the diplomats will undertake the assignments.

Concluding the event, General Vinh expressed his thanks to the delegates for their contributions to the Ministry's external defense affairs.

On behalf of the Central Military Commission and Defense Ministry, the general congratulated the diplomats on their appointment and urged them to continue to support the ministry’s defense diplomacy during their term of office.

Translated by Van Hieu