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Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong speaking at the event |
The event was chaired by Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defense.
Accordingly, the Search and Rescue Department of the General Staff, in collaboration with relevant agencies and units, formed a 76-strong mission to participate in the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Turkey, of whom the medical team under the General Department of Logistics has 30 members; the engineering team of the Engineering Corps consists of 30 people; the team of service dogs and their handlers of the Vietnam Border Guard Command has six dogs and nine handlers; the commanding force has seven officers.
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The forces to participate in the mission |
The mission is commanded by Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Chief of the Standing Office of the National Committee for Natural Disaster Response and Search and Rescue and Deputy Director of the Search and Rescue Department.
In addition, the General Department of Logistics was assigned to prepare 10 tons of dry ration and instant noodles to provide for the Turkish people; coordinate with agencies and units to ensure logistical and technical supplies for forces performing tasks in Turkey; well prepare vehicles to transport goods and equipment (about 30 tons) to the Noi Bai International Airport.
Speaking at the conference, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong stated that implementing the Party's foreign policy that Vietnam is ready to be a friend and a reliable partner of countries in the international community, from the beautiful tradition of the Vietnamese people, and realizing the direction of the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee and the Government, the Standing Committee of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense have decided to send forces to participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Turkey.
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Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong checking the preparation |
The chief of the General Staff emphasized that the sending of Vietnamese troops to participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Turkey demonstrates the superior foreign policy and high responsibility of the Vietnamese Party, State, and people to the international community. It also affirms the prestige, sense of responsibility, and capability of the Vietnam People's Army in international integration and cooperation.
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong said that comrades participating in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Turkey should be aware of the honor to carry out a noble international mission. Their participation in the mission vividly demonstrates the Party and State's mottos and viewpoints on foreign relations, the “Do unto others as you would have them done unto you” fine tradition of the Vietnamese people, and the noble international spirit of the Vietnam People's Army.
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Service dogs and handlers to participate in the mission |
The chief of the General Staff requested the participating forces to heighten the spirit of self-discipline, stay united, and proactively overcome difficulties to successfully complete the tasks entrusted by the Party, State, and military.
He urged the forces to closely coordinate with international forces, authorities, and people of the host country; ensure absolute safety of people and equipment; promote the tradition and good qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers and the Vietnam People's Army to make a good impression on international friends and the Turkish government and people.
On the same day, two doctors, three nurses, and three staff of the Department of Logistics of Military Hospital 354 received the order to conduct international service in Turkey.
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The medical team receiving the mission |
Meanwhile, the 30-member search and rescue team of Detachment 93 of the Engineering Corps are ready to participate in the mission in Turkey and Syria. All members of the team have firm political stance, good professional competence, and good health. The team are equipped with a lot of modern and compact engineering equipment.
Translated by Tran Hoai