Doctors of Level-2 Field Hospital No. 1 depart for the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan on October 15, 2018. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The VietnamDepartment of Peacekeeping Operations and the EU Delegation to the countryshared experience in peacekeeping and looked into the EU’s Common Security and DefencePolicy (CSDP) at a meeting held both in person and online on September 28.
The event aimed to help the Vietnameseside improve their knowledge about peacekeeping and crisis management policies,capacity in joining UN peacekeeping operations, and understanding of the EU’sCSDP. It also reflected the country’s goodwill in enhancing defence ties with theEU.
Affirming the role of peacekeepingoperations, Maj. Gen. Vu Cuong Quyet, Director of the Institute for DefenceStrategy under the Ministry of National Defence, said this is the largest multilateralsecurity cooperation mechanism in the world at present. Led by the UN, it helpsmake peace in the countries where UN peacekeeping missions are present andcreate an environment for member states to enhance multilateral and bilateral cooperation,thereby strengthening mutual trust to boost substantive and effectivecooperation.
Despite certain initial outcomes in its participation in UN peacekeeping operations,Vietnam has yet to officially take part in the EU’s crisis management activities,and it has the need to study and learn more about the CSDP, he noted, addingthat the country has noticed the effective assistance from the EU’s CSDP.
Vietnam will send personnel todirectly participate in the EU’s crisis management operations in the time ahead,firstly at the EU Training Mission in the Central African Republic, Quyetadded.
Sen. Lt. Col. Pham Tan Phong, DeputyDirector of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, said in thespirit of turning defence cooperation into a pillar of bilateral relations,Vietnam and the EU have always shown their goodwill and commitment to building regionaland global peace, including the signing of a frameworkfor the participation of Vietnam in EU crisis management operations.
He noted Vietnam and the EU have beenbuilding a sustainable relationship based on the common principles they haveagreed on.
At the meeting, speakers from the EUhelped the Vietnamese side gain an insight into crisis management operationsand field experiences in different countries. Vietnam also shared its experiences andlong-term vision on UN peacekeeping operations.
In the time ahead, Vietnam is set to coordinate more closely with the EU andmember nations to achieve more successes in promoting the role andeffectiveness of peacekeeping and crisis management operations, and increasecountries’ engagement in global peace and security issues, including UNpeacekeeping and crisis management operations./.
