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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien (right) and Mr. Katoma Leevi Shiimi |
At the meeting, Gen. Chien said that although Vietnam and Namibia are geographically far apart, the two countries established diplomatic relations in March 1990. Over the past more than 30 years, the cooperative relationship between the two countries has increasingly developed, especially in the fields of delegation exchange and trade ties.
The Vietnamese deputy defense minister emphasized that Vietnam consistently pursues a foreign policy of independence and self-reliance for peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, multilateralization, and diversification of foreign relations; being a friend, a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community. Vietnam always treasures and wishes to promote friendly relations and cooperation with African countries in general and Namibia in particular bilaterally and multilaterally, including defense ties.
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An overview of the meeting |
Although the two defense ministries have not officially established defense cooperation, Gen. Chien said that the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense is always ready to cooperate with Namibia in potential fields, in accordance with the bilateral relations and meeting the needs, capabilities, interests of each side.
For his part, Mr. Katoma Leevi Shiimi affirmed the fruitful development of the friendship between Vietnam and Namibia over the past time and hoped that in the coming time, the two sides will foster cooperation and exchange experiences in areas of mutual concern. He said that Namibia wants to learn from Vietnam's experience in policies to ensure benefits for those who rendered good service to the nation and soldiers who joined the resistance war.
Gen. Chien responded that the Vietnamese Party, State, authorities at all levels, and people always show gratitude and respect for those who contributed to the revolution and families of martyrs, wounded and sick soldiers. This demonstrates the Vietnamese people's "When drinking water, remember its source" tradition.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien presents a souvenir to Mr. Katoma Leevi Shiimi. |
Vietnam has a system of policies to create a legal corridor to ensure benefits for national contributors and their families. In addition, there are many organizations, such as the Vietnam Veterans' Association and the Vietnam Association for Agent Orange/dioxin Victims, to protect the rights of veterans.
Gen. Chien hoped that Vietnam's experience would be helpful for Namibia to perfect policies for people who had contributed to the revolution and soldiers who fought in the war in Namibia.
Translated by Tran Hoai