General Huong made that statement at a press conference held on August 20 after the opening ceremony of the 42nd Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS-42) in Hanoi, which lasts until August 24 under the co-host of the General Staff of the VPA and the US Army Pacific Command (USARPAC), with the participation of representatives from land forces of 27 Indo-Asia-Pacific countries.
At the press conference, General Huong reiterated Chief of the General Staff of the VPA, Sr. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang’s message delivered at PAMS-42’s opening ceremony and emphasized that this is the seventh time Vietnam has participated in PAMS but this is also the first time Vietnam has co-hosted the event.
    |
 |
|
General Huong (R) and USARPAC Commanding General Robert B. Brown |
According to the Vietnamese general, PAMS is not only a forum to enhance knowledge of concerned topics, but also provides opportunities for future leaders of regional militaries and security forces to develop strong interpersonal relationships and strengthen existing bonds.
Huong added that Vietnam’s co-hosting the event aims to realize the country’s policy of diversification and multi-lateralization of its relations and to confirm that Vietnam is a reliable friend, partner and an active and responsible member of international community.
“Through the seminar, Vietnam wants to introduce Vietnam’s culture, people and heroic military,” Huong stressed.
Expressing his honor to participate in and co-chair PAMS-42, USARPAC Commanding General Robert B. Brown affirmed that the US has always committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world as well as engaging in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The US general held that Vietnam’s first-ever co-hosting of the event has reaffirmed the country’s engagement and important role in the region and the world.
He hoped that during the seminar entitled “Cooperation among Indo-Asia-Pacific Land Forces in Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response,” comments on and shared experiences in the fields would help save lives in the region, especially when more and more natural disasters are occurring, causing more serious damages.
General Brown emphasized, “We do not wait for occurrence of disasters to take response, but let us join hands now to cope with them and give humanitarian assistance to save lives.”
Answering the press’s queries on the VPA’s capabilities in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, General Huong said that the VPA is building a revolutionary, regular, elite and gradually-modernized military and several modern army corps equipped with advanced weapons and technical equipment. Accordingly, the VPA’s capabilities in the questioned field have improved to meet requirements of the country’s defense cause and the protection of the Vietnamese people at first. Though this is not a compulsory cooperation mechanism, the VPA is willing to take part in international assistance and relief efforts if requested by countries hit by natural disasters.
“We will do our best to help people in disaster-hit areas to resume to their normal lives at the soonest time,” said General Huong.
PAMS is an annual military multilateral seminar that provides a forum for senior officers from regional ground forces to exchange views and ideas and share experiences in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Translated by Mai Huong