Vietnam, Germany seek to expand defence ties

Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lt. General Nguyen Chi Vinh (L) and Germany’s Defense State Secretary Peter Tauber

During the talks on June 13, the two sides shared their views on global and regional issues of shared concern, and informed each other about security situation in Europe and Asia Pacific.

They reviewed results of defence cooperation between the two countries in recent times, especially in training, military medicine and UN peacekeeping.

Vinh said that Vietnam's Ministry of Defense approved Germany’s resident defense attaché to Vietnam, affirming that Germany’s appointment of a resident defence attaché to Vietnam for the first time reflects strong development of defense bond between the two countries, and is the foundation for both sides to increase their understanding and cooperation in the coming time.

The Vietnamese delegation discussed with the Germany side about strengthening defense cooperation in the future as a strategic partner of each other.

The cooperation will focus on considering the possibility to sign a memorandum of understanding on defence collaboration and promoting the establishment of a deputy ministerial-level defense policy dialogue mechanism, and strengthening cooperation in military medicine, training, UN peacekeeping, defence industry, and overcoming post-war consequences.

During their visit, the Vietnamese delegation had working sessions with a number of German defence officers and officials from the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and visited the army combat training centre and the international peacekeeping centre.