Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang is leading a high-ranking Vietnamese military delegation to visit Myanmar from September 24-27. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Myanmar has attaches much importance to developingthe comprehensive cooperative partnership with Vietnam, with defencecollaboration described as an important pillar in their relations, said MyanmarVice President Myint Swe on September 25.
He made the statement while having a meeting on September 25 with Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the GeneralStaff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, whois leading a high-ranking Vietnamese military delegation to visit Myanmar onSeptember 24-27.
Myint Swe affirmed that the Myanmar Government will continue support, andcreate favourable conditions for the bilateral defence ties to further developfor the benefit of the two peoples.
Giang, for his part, laid stress on the long-lasting diplomatic relations withMyanmar, and thanked the Myanmar Government for supporting Vietnam during thestruggle for independence in the past and national construction and safeguardingat present.
Earlier the day, Giang had a meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing,Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, during which he stressed theVietnamese Party, State and Government always treasure and develop thetraditional friendship and comprehensive cooperative partnership with Myanmar.
In the past years, both sides have maintained collaboration in 12 prioritisedfields, he said, adding Vietnam is currently the 10th largest trade partner ofMyanmar, and they are working towards a trade value of 1 billion by 2020.
At the meeting, the host and guest agreed that the bilateral defence relationshave developed strongly on the basis of the defence cooperation agreement signedin 2011. Particularly, collaboration in several areas like delegation exchangesat all levels, training and military medicine has surpassed expectations.
They reached consensus on promoting the cooperative potential through navalships’ visits, cooperation between border guard forces to fight drug crimes,and collaboration in defence industry.
Min Aung Hlaing expressed his belief in the success of the Viettel MilitaryIndustry and Telecoms Group in Myanmar, and pledged support for the group’s operations.
He also voiced support for Vietnam when the nation plays the role of the ASEANChair in 2020./.
VNA
