Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh (Photo: VNA) London (VNA) – Vietnam and the United Kingdom (UK) have agreed to step up defence cooperation, Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh has said.
He made the statement during an interview with a London-based Vietnam News Agency correspondent during his working visit to the UK to attend the first Vietnam-UK Defence Policy Dialogue from November 27-30.
The dialogue took place with the countries celebrating the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, he said, adding they have seen positive developments in policy dialogue relations after signing a deal on defence collaboration in 2011.
In addition, bilateral defence ties have been elevated to a level commensurate with the strategic partnership between the two nations, he stressed.
Touching on cooperation between the two militaries, Vinh said that they have exchanged high-level delegations to study defence policies in each nation.
Besides language training, cooperation in United Nations peacekeeping operations is a bright point in bilateral defence ties. The UK handed over facilities of the level-2 field hospital in South Sudan in 2018, helping Vietnam reduce cost and time to build a new hospital in the African country, he said, highlighting that the transfer received applause from the UN and the host nation.
The UK stands ready to provide training in English language, military medicine and peacekeeping knowledge for Vietnam in preparation for the country to implement its second level-2 field hospital in replacement of the first one next year.
Also, the UK Ministry of Defence has affirmed it will back Vietnam in training and share experience as Vietnam plans to send groups of sappers to Africa in the near future.
Furthermore, Vietnam and the UK have close ties in medical medicine, hydrographics, maps and marine security, Vinh noted, stating that both sides have a common voice on various issues, ensuring win-win benefits and regional and global peace and stability.-VNA
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