The suggestion was made by Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien at the fourth Defense Policy Dialogue on March 29 at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense in Hanoi. The event was co-chaired by Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and The Baroness Goldie DL, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defense of the U.K.
    |
 |
|
An overview of the dialogue |
At the dialogue, the Vietnamese deputy defense minister emphasized that the strategic exchange mechanism was an opportunity for the two sides to review the outcomes of cooperation over the past time and agreed on orientation for practical and effective defense ties for interests of each country and for regional and international peace and development.
|
|
 |
|
The U.K. side at the event |
In the context that Vietnam and the U.K. are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic ties (1973 - 2023), their strategic partnership continues to be promoted, with defense cooperation remaining an important factor of bilateral relations.
The Baroness Goldie DL affirmed that the bilateral defense ties have been strongly developing and recording good outcomes.
|
|
 |
|
The Vietnamese side at the event |
At the event, the two sides exchanged views on regional and international situations of mutual concern. They evaluated that the defense cooperation has been implemented in the right direction and in line with the countries’ commitments in the memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation signed in 2017 and the agreements reached between Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang and British Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace during his official visit to Vietnam in July 2021.
The two officials affirmed that the defense ties have achieved positive outcomes, notably in delegation exchange, training, U.N. peacekeeping operations, defense industry, maritime security, hydrography, geospace, academic exchange, and human trafficking combat.
|
|
 |
|
Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien presents a souvenir to The Baroness Goldie DL. |
They agreed that the defense cooperation has been carried out effectively and substantively, greatly contributing to strengthening the Vietnam - U.K. strategic partnership and mutual trust for the sake of each country and for regional and global peace and stability.
On the basis of obtained results, the two sides proposed orientation for cooperation in the coming time, including continuing delegation exchange and fostering activities in accordance with cultural features and the signed agreements.
Regarding cooperation in training, Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien hoped that the U.K. will continue to support and provide scholarships and hold technical and English training courses for Vietnam. Vietnam is willing to receive British servicemen to study Vietnamese at Military Science Academy and National Defense Academy.
|
|
 |
|
Delegates in a joint photo at the dialogue |
In terms of the defense industry, the Vietnamese Defense Ministry is ready to create conditions for British defense enterprises to introduce their products and learn more about the procurement process of defense products as well as each other’s demand and strengths to effectively carry out cooperation in line with law, international practices, and each side’s capacity.
They agreed to maintain existing cooperation activities in hydrography, geospace, academic exchange, and human trafficking combat.
Translated by Tran Hoai