Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh welcomed in Hanoi on August 14 General Martin Dempsey on his visit to Vietnam, the first official one by a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Army.

General Thanh said he believes that the visit will bring about positive changes in the ties between the two armies after reflecting his delight at the fine development of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership.

Speaking highly of the outcomes of the talks between Dempsey and Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Do Ba Ty, Thanh held out hope that the US army chief will continue supporting the fostering of bilateral relations in all fields, for peace and prosperity in the region and the world at large.

For his part, Dempsey suggested the two armies continue actively implementing signed agreements and agreed cooperative orientations in order to nurture the partnership between the two countries.-VNA