Vietnam, France step up defence ties

Minister of Defence, General Phung Quang Thanh met with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris on June 19 during the Vietnamese Defence Ministry delegation’s working trip to Europe.

Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian receives Minister Phung Quang Thanh (photo: VNA)

Minister Phung Quang Thanh affirmed Vietnam always treasures relations with France, stressing that the strategic partnership of the two countries brings new opportunities and potentials for co-operation in various fields including defence.

He spoke highly of France’s crucial role in Europe and in the world and expressed thanks to France for its support of Vietnam in the process of joining the International Hydrographic Organisation.

For his part, the French Defence Minister spoke highly of Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements, affirming that the Southeast Asian country has demonstrated its increasingly important role in the international arena as well as in building the ASEAN Community.

He emphasised France’s intention to boost ties with Vietnam across all fields, particularly in defence.

The two defence ministers shared the view that defence collaboration in the past few years has seen development in the exchange of delegations, the sharing of experience in military medicine, training and hydrography as well as in peacekeeping activities under the United Nations.

They agreed to promote these activities in the coming time, while creating favourable conditions for French defence enterprises to gain access to the Vietnamese market.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)