Hanoi (VNA) – A high-ranking delegation of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) led by Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the VPA and Deputy Defence Minister, are attending the 16th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces' Meeting (ACDFM 16) that is being held in Thailand on March 6-7.

Vietnam’s presence at the event aims to promote the country’s position and role in the region and the world through participation in multilateral military and defence forums.

It also affirms the country’s external policy of multilateralisation and diversification as well as active, proactive and responsible attitude towards international integration.

Through meetings and discussions at the 16th ACDFM, Vietnam wants to promote bilateral defence cooperation with ASEAN countries, and garners ASEAN members’ support for Vietnam as the ASEAN Chair in 2020.

A ceremony to hand over the role of the 17th ACDFM Chair to Vietnam will be held within the meeting’s framework.-VNA