Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang at the talks (Photo: VNA)Discussing the growth of the Vietnam – Canada diplomatic relations since it wasestablished in 1973, they said the ties have thrived on par with the nations’comprehensive partnership across economy, trade, investment, and education. Thebilateral defence cooperation, meanwhile, has grown toward effectiveness, withthe sides implementing their memorandum of understanding (MoU) on thecollaboration and achieving encouraging outcomes in training, peacekeeping andmaritime security.
Sajjan congratulated Giang on his new post as defenceminister of Vietnam, and lauded the country’s role in ASEAN, as well as thebloc’s role in leading and fostering the establishment of multilateral securitycooperation mechanisms like the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMMPlus). The ADMM-Plus is a platform for the bloc and its eight dialogue partners– Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russiaand the United States - to strengthen security and defence cooperation.
The Canadian official hoped the Vietnamese Ministry ofNational Defence to back Canada’s efforts in joining the ADMM Plus.
He also took the occasion to commend efforts of theVietnamese Government and army in implementing effective COVID-19 preventionand control measures.
For his part, Giang affirmed the new leaders of Vietnamcontinue consistently pressing ahead with the nation’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation anddiversification as well as defence policy of peace and self-defence,contributing to the regional and global peace.
Praising Canada’s role in the region and the world, he saidVietnam wants to enhance relations with the country on the basis of equalityand mutual benefits.
Both ministers agreed to further bilateral defenceengagements in existing areas in line with the MoU with a focus on delegationexchange, dialogue, consultation, training, defence industry, peacekeeping, andmarine security. They also mentioned joint research regarding possibilities forthe sides to cooperate in military medicine against COVID-19.
They expressed their belief that the ties will be deepenedtoward practical outcomes and mutual benefits for peace and developmentregionally and globally./.
VNA
