At the meeting, Gen. Chien highly appreciated the ambassador’s active contribution to promoting the bilateral cooperation over the past time and expressed delight at the fruitful development of the Vietnam - New Zealand strategic partnership in the economic, political, defense, security, cultural, and educational fields.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien receives Ambassador Tredene Dobson. |
Regarding defense cooperation, the Vietnamese deputy defense minister affirmed that despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bilateral defense cooperation activities have been effectively carried out in line with the needs and capabilities of each side on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation signed in 2013. Leaders of the two defense ministries regularly pay visits to each other’s country and meet on the sidelines of multilateral events or through consultation and dialogue mechanisms. Notably, last July, the Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army paid an official visit to New Zealand, during which the two sides agreed on many important cooperation activities, contributing to strengthening the bilateral defense ties in line with the Vietnam - New Zealand strategic partnership.
Regarding orientation for cooperation in the coming time, Gen. Chien said that the two defense ministries will focus on boosting the exchange of high-level delegations, consultation and dialogue mechanisms; effectively bringing into play the results achieved from the official New Zealand visit of the Vietnamese Chief of General Staff; strengthening cooperation in training and U.N. peacekeeping operations; studying possibility of expanding cooperation in potential fields, in line with each side’s demand and capabilities.
The Vietnamese defense leader expected that New Zealand will actively support and send a delegation to attend the second Vietnam International Defense Expo hosted by the Vietnamese Defense Ministry in 2024. He hoped that in any position, Ambassador Tredene Dobson will support the strengthening of the Vietnam - New Zealand relationship for the benefits of the two countries and for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
Mentioning the abundant opportunities to promote delegation exchange and strengthen consultation and dialogue mechanisms in 2024, the New Zealand diplomat believed that the defense ties will continue to be a spotlight in the bilateral relationship.
The same day, Gen. Chien received Indian Defense Attaché to Vietnam Colonel Dheeraj Kotwal, during which he laid stress on the continuous, effective, and substantial development of the bilateral defense ties which is an important pillar in the relationship between the two countries.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and Colonel Dheeraj Kotwal |
According to the Vietnamese deputy defense minister, the India visit of the Vietnamese Defense Minister in June created important momentum to lift the bilateral defense cooperation to a new height. The two sides have paid attention to boosting delegation exchange, effectively maintaining consultation mechanism and deputy defense ministerial level defense policy dialogue, and strengthening cooperation in training and between arms and services.
Mentioning the success of the recent Vietnam - India bilateral exercise on U.N. peacekeeping operations in 2023, Gen. Chien said that it offered an opportunity for the two sides to share knowledge and experience in carrying out U.N. peacekeeping operations and strengthen their mutual understanding.
He suggested the two sides continue to closely coordinate to effectively actualize cooperation contents determined by the two defense ministers during the Vietnamese Defense Minister’s India visit in June.
Highlighting Colonel Dheeraj Kotwal’s efforts in promoting the bilateral defense ties, the host expected that in his new position, the Indian officer will continue to strengthen their collaboration and accelerate the implementation of defense cooperation contents in more intensive, substantial, and effective manner.
Colonel Dheeraj Kotwal affirmed that in his new position, he will strive his best to promote the implementation of reached cooperation contents, contributing to strengthening Vietnam - India defense ties.
Translated by Tran Hoai