PANO – General Phung Quang Thanh, Defence Minister, led a Defence Ministry delegation to visit the Vietnam Veterans’ Association on February 4th.

During the meeting prior to the Lunar New Year Tet Festival, General Thanh briefed the Association’s staff on some international and domestic issues relating to the national military and national defence tasks over the past time. Last year, the whole-army well grasped situations to proactively suggest to the Party and State measures on military external relations; strengthened their combat readiness and promoted training quality, contributing to fulfilling their assigned tasks. Besides, military units actively fought cross-border smuggling and crime at sea, participated in search and rescue; and helped local people alleviate poverty and maintain social order.

The Defence Minister wished the Association’s leaders and staff nationwide a happy Tet.

For his part, Lieutenant-General Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association, thanked the Defence Ministry for its support for associations at all levels, especially in building new houses of gratitude for needy veterans and beneficiaries, and helping the Association organize charity activities, to name but a few.

On this occasion, the two generals also agreed on the need for further bilateral cooperation in conducting tasks assigned by the Party and State. Meanwhile, veterans should continue educating young generations about the army’s traditions and encourage them to contribute their creativeness to develop the army.

Translated by Van Hieu