Vietnam, UK beef up defence ties

Vietnam opened its Military Attache Office in the UK on September 30 as part of activities to mark the fifth anniversary of strategic partnership between the two countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao affirmed the enhancement of defence cooperation with foreign countries, including the UK, as a pillar in Vietnam’s full integration process.

Following the UK’s opening of its Military Attache Office in Hanoi in 2013, the event is an essential step to fully realise the strategic partnership and deepen comprehensive cooperation between the nations, he said.

The establishment of the office proves Vietnam’s resolve to boost the bilateral defence ties in line with the strategic partnership, Lieut. Gen. Pham Quang Vinh said, noting Vietnam believes that the defence affiliation will not only bring security-related interests to each country but also contribute to ensuring peace and stability in the region and the world.

Echoing Vinh’s views, Air Commodore Nick Bray, head of the International Policy and Planning Department at the UK Ministry of Defence, said the military attache offices in the respective country will help advance the defence ties, especially in the exchange of delegations and information, and personnel training cooperation.

Since Vietnam and the UK established their strategic partnership in 2010, the two countries have set up closer defence cooperation frameworks and launched major initiatives.

In 2011, the two defence ministries signed a memorandum of understanding on defence collaboration and took concrete steps to realise the document.

Apart from short-term language training courses, the two sides have carried out projects on bomb and mine clearance, shared experienced in peace-keeping missions and cooperated in training, military technology and defence industry.-VNA