Cultural similarities and the Vietnamese and Korean communities ofmore than 100,000 expatriates living in the two countries respectivelyform an important basis for enhancing mutual understanding, friendshipand cooperation, State President Truong Tan Sang said during hisreception for RoK Minister of Defence Han Min-koo in Hanoi on May 28.
The President welcomed the minister to visitVietnam from May 27-29 to discuss reinforcing the two countries’strategic cooperative partnership, especially in the field of nationaldefence and trade.
He hailed the outcomes of thetalks held between the two defence ministers and suggested the two sidesimplement the signed cooperation agreements as soon as possible, whilealso proposing new initiatives to deepen bilateral relations.
Han Min-koo told the President that the two defence ministers agreedto enhance Vietnam-RoK defence ties in the near future throughexchanging delegations regularly and sharing military experience.
He proposed the two sides step up cooperation in the field of military industry.
Host and guest expressed their appreciation for the growing tiesbetween Vietnam and the RoK, especially on the economy, defence andpeople-to-people exchanges.
Minister Han noted thatthe Vietnamese community was integrating well into its host society andmaking active contributions to development in the RoK.
The two sides also discussed issues relating to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.
Vietnam and the RoK signed a Memorandum of Understanding ondefence cooperation in 2010. The two countries have been holdingbilateral strategic defence dialogues at the deputy ministerial levelsince 2012.-VNA