At the reception, the Head of the EU delegation affirmed that the EU-Vietnam relationship has actively developed, especially in defense cooperation. He expressed his honor to be appointed as the Ambassador-Head of the EU delegation to Vietnam, and vowed to continue promoting the achievements of his predecessors, thus contributing to the development of EU - Vietnam relations.
Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti said the EU hopes Vietnam will continue supporting the EU’s engagement in defense-security structures in Asia-Pacific, including the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).
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Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh (R) and Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti |
For his part, General Nguyen Chi Vinh stated that Vietnam attaches much importance to the relations with the EU, including defense ties, and always supports the EU’s engagement in defense-security structures in Asia-Pacific. He also added that the Vietnamese MND wants to work closely with the EU delegation in Vietnam to further promote defense ties between the two sides.
General Vinh said Vietnam would welcome a visit from the Chairman of the EU Military Committee next year and hoped that the EU will support Vietnam when Vietnam takes ASEAN Chair in 2020.
In addition, General Vinh stressed that the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Framework Agreement (PCA), the implementation of the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) will further promote comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the EU in the time to come.
* On the same day, General Vinh received the outgoing and new Defense and Military Attachés, Naval Attachés and Air Attachés of the Thai Embassy in Vietnam.
At the event, Gen. Vinh told the guests that over the past years, defense cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand has developed in a more effective and practical manner, actively contributing to the development of the bilateral relations between the two countries. He said the Vietnamese MND appreciated the work of the Defense and Military Attaché, Naval Attaché and Air Attaché of Thailand during the past term and promised to create favorable conditions for the new attachés to fulfill their duties.
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General Vinh presents a gift to Colonel Chayapat Anuchon. |
Vinh also congratulated Thailand for successfully undertaking the ASEAN Chairmanship and affirmed that Vietnam has always supported Thailand to fulfill this mission. He also asked Thailand to support Vietnam when the country serves as Chair of ASEAN in 2020.
On behalf of the attachés, Thai Defense and Army Attaché, Colonel Chayapat Anuchon agreed with General Vinh's comments on the development of the two countries' bilateral relations and thanked the Vietnamese MND for supporting Thai attachés of the past term.
Translated by Lam Anh