Minister Ngo Xuan Lich (third, left) visits a military unit (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Promoting proactive and activeinternational integration and the effectiveness of defence diplomacy is one ofthe focuses of military activities in 2017, said Minister of National DefenceNgo Xuan Lich.
In an interview with Vietnam News Agency on theoccasion of the Lunar New Year, Ngo Xuan Lich, who is a Politburo member andVice Secretary of the Central Military Commission, elaborated that bilateraland multilateral defence cooperation will be enhanced with priorities given tostrengthening links with ASEAN and neighbouring countries and traditionally-friendlynations.
Connections with big countries and strategicpartners will be fostered while defence relations with potential partners willalso be expanded.
Lich said Vietnam will proactively engage inbuilding a defence cooperation mechanism for ASEAN in 2017. It will also makegood personnel and equipment preparations for United Nations peacekeepingoperations, search and rescue drills, and humanitarian aid provision co-held byregional countries.
Efforts will be made to successfully organisejoint patrols at sea and along the land border, as well as friendship defenceexchanges with the nations Vietnam shares the borderline with.
He hopes that those activities will helpreinforce Vietnam’s solidarity and friendship with other countries and protectits territorial integrity, national independence, autonomy and interests.-VNA
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