The Defence Ministry’s Department for External Relations hosted a pre-Tet gathering for military attachés and embassy representatives of countries which Vietnam has established defence ties.

At the event held in Hanoi on Feb. 2, Chief of the Department for External Relations Lieu. Gen. Pham Thanh Lan reviewed the alliance between the Defence Ministry and the Vietnamese People’s Army with foreign partners.

He said that the collaboration has helped not only strengthen and deepen bilateral friendship and cooperation but also contributed to consolidating peace and stability in the region and the world.

Lan expressed hope that this year Vietnam ’s close defence and military cooperation with other countries will continue growing on the basis of mutual trust and bringing in practical effectiveness.

Colonel Hidemaro Ohto, Japan’s defence attaché and head of the foreign military attachés delegation, said the Vietnamese Defence Ministry plays an important role in ASEAN and the world.

He said he hoped the ties between Vietnam ’s Defence Ministry and their foreign partners will continuously develop and maintain peace and stability in the region and the world at large./.