PANO - Vietnamese and Thai navies should beef up their exchange and cooperation, learning from each other's experiences, to contribute to ensuring peace and stability in the region, creating a favourable environment for each country’s development, stated Vietnamese Defence Minister, General Phung Quang Thanh in his visit to Naval Region 3 of Thailand on March 12th, while reviewing the important role of the Vietnam and Thailand naval cooperation in the two sides’ defence cooperation.

During the visit, Vice Admiral Taratorn Kajitsuwan, the Thai Naval Region 3’s Chief, briefed the guest and his entourage on the unit’s function and missions.

Thai Naval Region 3 has missions of defending Thai sovereignty over its seas and islands in its western territorial waters; maintaining friendship with neighbouring countries bordering Thailand; coping with non-traditional security challenges, especially drug smuggling; searching and rescuing and overcoming natural disaster consequences.

The region has been assigned an additional mission of conducting joint patrols with Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore in the Strait of Malacca, and with India in the coming time.

Moreover, the region is responsible for receiving some naval ships on friendly visits to Thailand.

According to Vice Admiral Taratorn Kajitsuwan, the region’s missions will be harder after the building of the ASEAN Community in 2015.

In his speech, the Vice Admiral expressed his honour at receiving the Vietnamese Defence Minister and hoped that the two navies would carry out more practical activities to boost their friendship and exchange experiences, especially in coping with non-traditional security challenges in the upcoming time. 

For his part, General Phung Quang Thanh shared his pleasure in visiting the region and appreciated the warm welcome of the host. He also highly valued the region’s missions and achievements.

Translated by Mai Huong