Illustrative image (Source: Internet)Paris(VNA) – The first Vietnam-France dialogue on security and defence strategy washeld in Paris on September 18.
The event was jointlychaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son; Deputy Chief of General Staffof the Vietnam People’s Army, Senior Lieutenant General Pham Ngoc Minh; andFrench Minister of State for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Baptiste Lemoyne.
The deputy ministerial-leveldialogue took place in the context of celebrations for the 45th anniversary ofthe Vietnam-France bilateral diplomatic ties.
At the event, JeanBaptiste Lemoyne showed his pleasure at the positive growth in the partnershipbetween the two countries since they set up their strategic partnership in2013.
He agreed on the needto increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and effectively implementcooperation mechanisms, such as a dialogue on security and defence strategy, a dialogueon defence policies, and an annual high-level dialogue on economy.
He underlined thateconomic cooperation is a key pillar in the Vietnam-France strategicpartnership, noting that the two countries have become an important tradepartner to each other, with bilateral trade reaching to 4.6 billion USD in2017.
Regarding defencecollaboration, the two sides highly valued the delegation exchange between thedefence ministries and militaries of both countries, and the visit to France byVietnamese Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich.
They concurred tofoster affiliation in personnel training, military medicine, hydrograph, the defenceindustry, and UN peacekeeping operations.
At the dialogue, thetwo sides also discussed regional and international issues of shared concern.They pledged to coordinate closely with each other at multilateral forums,while supporting initiatives and efforts to promote peace and stability in the regionand the world.
The Vietnamese sideaffirmed that the country is ready to work with France in strengthening maritimesecurity in the future. –VNA
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