The Vietnamese Embassies in Singapore and South Africa have held ceremonies to mark the 70th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) (December 22, 1944).

Speaking at the December 10 event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Hai Hau highlighted the important role of the VPA in sustaining the country’s peace, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The army has expanded bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation including regular defence dialogues at all levels with many countries, including all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Ambassador noted that the signing of a bilateral defence cooperation agreement between Vietnam and Singapore in 2009 has laid a foundation to enhance defence ties between the two countries. The two sides have held annual defence dialogues and consultations, military delegation exchanges, and cooperated in education-training, military medicine, military research, counterterrorism and searching-rescue activities.

At the same time, Vietnam and Singapore ’s Ministries of National Defence have been working together and with other ASEAN member states during the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), ADMM Plus, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (AFR).

Addressing a similar event in Pretoria on December 10, Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Le Huy Hoang underlined Vietnam’s participation in the UN peacekeeping forces, which demonstrates the resolve of the Vietnamese Party, State and Army to contribute to the international common goals of peace, stability and social progress.

Vietnam and South Africa have strengthened defence ties via regular delegation exchanges, information sharing, the establishment of annual defence dialogue channels, and technical and medical collaboration, the diplomat said.

Brigadier General Thafeni confirmed that South Africa’s army wants to boost multi-faceted cooperation with the VPA, including training and defence technology transfer.

Similar events were held by the Vietnamese Embassies in the Czech Republic and Algeria to mark the anniversary with the attendance of the host countries’ senior military officers as well as diplomats and defence attaches of other countries.

Vietnam has established defence ties with nearly 70 countries across the world and opened defence attaché offices in 31 countries.-VNA