PANO - General Phung Quang Thanh, Defence Minister, received outgoing Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Allaster Cox on June 12th.

At the reception, Ambassador Cox stressed that the defence ties between Vietnam and Australia has achieved far-reaching development over the past four years.

Practical cooperation programs, such as teaching Vietnamese officers English, working with Border Post Command and donating computers to Military Technology Academy, have contributed to promote Vietnam-Australia cooperation relations to a new height.

The Ambassador hoped that Vietnam and Australia will boost their experience exchanges on special missions, commando and cooperation on their naval forces in the coming time.

On his part, General Phung Quang Thanh highly appreciated Australian support on offering English training courses for Vietnamese officers. He emphasized that it is very necessary to teach Vietnamese officers English.

General Thanh wished that Australian Defence Ministry will keep assisting Vietnamese Defence Ministry in teaching English as well as donating more computers to army academies.

General Thanh said that in the coming time, the two sides will promote the above-mentioned exchange, especially anti-terrorism experiences. He also hailed the visit of Australian ships to Vietnam with the aim to exchange experiences on rescue at sea.

Translated by Mai Huong