The dialogue was part of the working visit to Italy by the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense (MND), led by Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh.
At the dialogue. Photo: Vietnam+
Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation to the dialogue, Mr. Rossi emphasized that relations between Vietnam and Italy have been flourishing in different fields and that with the two sides’ efforts, and in the spirit of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation inked in 2013, the bilateral defense cooperation have reaped large fruits since the first Defense Policy Dialogue in 2014.
The host also reiterated the Italian Government’s support for the two countries’ cooperation on defense industry. He said that the Italian side welcomes Vietnamese trainees to participate in training courses offered by Italian military academies and schools.
He took this chance briefed the guests on European situations and Italy’s standpoint on hot spots in the region and the world and the fight against terrorism.
For his part, Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh informed the host of the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region which has attracted much attention from the world over the past years. Vinh affirmed that peace, cooperation and development still remain the main trend in this region. However, the region has also faced a number of security challenges such as gap between the rich and the poor, territorial disputes and other non-traditional challenges. The Asia-Pacific region is a competitive area of strong powers, resulting in instability and arms races.
Regarding to the East Sea (South China Sea), Gen. Vinh underscored Vietnam’s stand that all disputes must be addressed by peaceful means and complying with international law.
In terms of the bilateral defense ties, Gen. Vinh said that there remains much room for development, and the recent outcomes of the bilateral relations have not yet met both sides’ aspirations. He suggested the two Ministries of Defense step up cooperation mechanisms in a more effective and practical manner in the time to come.
During the dialogue, the Vietnamese general also introduced to the host Vietnam’s active participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and hoped that Italy would be an important parter of Vietnam in the field.
Gen. Vinh also affirmed Vietnam attaches much importance to its cooperation with the Italian side on defense industry and logistics, military medicine and training.
“Vietnam is willing to welcome Italian cadets and servicemen to study Vietnamese language and to take part in higher training courses on art of war in Vietnam’s Fatherland protection at the National Defense Academy of Vietnam”, said Gen. Vinh.
Gen. Vinh conveyed Vietnamese Minister of National Defense, General Ngo Xuan Lich’s invitation to Italian Minister of Defense to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.
As part of the Vietnamese delegation’s visit, Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh met with General Claudio Graziano, Chief of Defense Staff of the Italian Armed Forces; and worked with several Italian defense businesses.
Translated by Mai Huong