At the meeting, on behalf of the Ministry of National Defense’s leaders and in his own name, General Chien sent deep condolences to the Japanese people and the family of late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. The Vietnamese general expressed his belief that the Japanese people and the family of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo will soon overcome this tremendous loss.
The deputy defense minister confirmed that the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam attaches importance to its extensive strategic partnership with Japan, and considers it a premise to expand the bilateral defense ties in an intensive, practical and effective manner.
According to the host, despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the defense cooperation between Vietnam and Japan has continuously developed and remained an important pillar in the two countries’ relations.
In particular, the two defense ministries have kept contacts and maintained visits. The cooperation contents have been carried out actively, meeting the expectations and demands of both sides and reaping remarkable outcomes in delegation exchanges, maintenance of existing cooperation mechanisms, U.N. peacekeeping operations, improvement of cadres’ capacity, cyber security, medicines, settlement of war legacy, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance.
Speaking highly of the active contribution of Colonel Hara Takashi during his tenure, General Chien hoped that the official will continue to have good sentiments for Vietnamese people and military and make further contribution to strengthening the two countries’ relationship in general and the bilateral defense cooperation in particular.
Welcoming Colonel Ishihara Masanao to Vietnam for his working term as a Japanese defense attaché, General Chien wished him to bring into play his predecessor’ achievements, and launch new initiatives to substantively and effectively boost the bilateral defense ties.
Both outgoing and incoming defense attaches of Japan expressed thanks to the host for the reception. They said that in Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship Year in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, various activities were organized virtually and some had to be postponed, including the international fleet review and international defense expo. They hoped that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense will resume these events as soon as possible.
For his part, Colonel Ishihara Masanao expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense will support and create favorable conditions for him to perform his duties during his tenure, contributing to further developing the bilateral defense ties.
Translated by Mai Huong