The two defense ministers spoke highly of General Secretary and State President To Lam’s official visit to Belgium, which opens a new chapter in bilateral cooperation across various fields, including defense.
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At the welcoming ceremony for General Phan Van Giang |
Both sides agreed that based on the Framework Agreement on Defense Cooperation, Viet Nam–Belgium defense ties have received increasing attention and made progress in several areas, including exchanges of delegations, postwar recovery, training, and defense industry cooperation.
Together with the positive development of bilateral friendship, the two ministers expressed their desire to further deepen defense cooperation and make it more practical and effective. Specifically, they agreed to promote exchanges of delegations at all levels, particularly high-level delegations, and expand cooperation in training, U.N. peacekeeping operations, naval affairs, science and technology, disaster response, and the defense industry, especially high technology, in line with each side’s needs and capabilities.
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General Phan Van Giang and Belgian Minister of Defense Theo Francken. |
The two sides also agreed to explore the establishment of a Defense Cooperation Consultative Group, with a view to subsequently establishing a deputy minister-level Defense Policy Dialogue between the two countries. They will also work to finalize the cooperation framework to provide a basis for implementing new areas of cooperation and promoting specialized cooperation between agencies and units of the two defense ministries.
General Phan Van Giang thanked the Belgian House of Representatives for becoming the first legislative body in the world to adopt a resolution supporting Vietnamese Agent Orange victims in October 2023. He expressed his hope that the Belgian government and House of Representatives would continue supporting Viet Nam in addressing the consequences of postwar chemical contamination.
During the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on the global and regional situations and other issues of mutual concern. Regarding the East Sea (South China Sea), they agreed that disputes should be settled peacefully and in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also expressed support for substantive and effective negotiations toward the conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) consistent with international law.
General Phan Van Giang expressed his hope that Belgium would serve as a bridge to help Viet Nam strengthen cooperation with the E.U. and its member states. Viet Nam, for its part, stands ready to act as a reliable bridge to help Belgium enhance cooperation with countries in the ASEAN.
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General Phan Van Giang and Belgian Defense Ministser Theo Francken exchange gifts. |
On this occasion, General Phan Van Giang invited Minister Theo Francken and Belgian defense industry companies to attend the third Viet Nam Defense Expo, scheduled to take place in Hanoi from December 10 to 13, providing an opportunity for both sides to explore and advance potential cooperation.
Translated by Chung Anh