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Vietnamese Deputy Chief of the General Staff Phung Si Tan and Chilean Deputy Defense Minister |
On behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, General Tan emphasized the significance of the visit in the context that the Comprehensive Partnership between Vietnam and Chile has been continuously consolidated and developed in a substantive and effective manner, especially following the state visit to Chile by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong in November 2024.
Within the framework of these positive bilateral relations, defense cooperation has been attached much importance to by senior leaders of both countries. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation by the two defense ministers, along with the establishment of Vietnam’s resident Defense Attaché Office in Chile in April 2024, has laid a solid foundation for expanding cooperation in defense, including in U.N. peacekeeping operations.
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Members of the two delegates in a joint photo |
At the meeting, General Tan highly appreciated Chile’s extensive experience in U.N. peacekeeping since 1949, particularly in Africa and Haiti, and expressed the wish to further promote cooperation between the two countries in this field. He suggested Chile support and strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in specific areas, such as delegation exchanges at all levels; sharing of professional expertise; English language and peacekeeping training; and co-hosting specialized workshops and training sessions. He also proposed the promotion of the bridging role of Vietnam’s Defense Attaché Office in Chile and the Chilean Embassy in Hanoi in advancing cooperation between the two sides’ peacekeeping agencies.
For his part, Chilean Deputy Minister of Defense Ricardo Montero Allende affirmed that Chile values Vietnam’s participation in and support to U.N. peacekeeping operations, especially Vietnam’s contribution in challenging and unstable areas such as the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Abyei. He emphasized that Chile stands ready to cooperate, share experience, and enhance exchanges with Vietnam in peacekeeping, in a spirit of mutual understanding, friendship, and commitment to peace and sustainable development.
General Tan reaffirmed that Vietnam consistently pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, multilateralization, diversification, and pro-active international integration. Vietnam also adheres to its “four no's” defense policy and remains ready to participate in global humanitarian and disaster relief operations. In recent years, the Vietnam People’s Army has actively engaged in search and rescue missions in Turkey (February 2023) and Myanmar (March 2025), earning high recognition from the international community.
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The delegation offering flowers to President Ho Chi Minh |
Both sides expressed confidence that, with the solid foundation of friendly relations and the strong commitment of the defense leadership of both countries, Vietnam – Chile defense cooperation, particularly in the area of U.N. peacekeeping, will continue to develop extensively and effectively.
Later the same day, the Vietnamese delegation laid flowers in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his statue in the Ho Chi Minh Park in Santiago de Chile.
According to the program, on August 19 (local time), the delegation continued its visit with a working session at Chile’s Joint Peacekeeping Operations Center to discuss more specific areas of cooperation in the coming period.
Translated by Chung Anh