At the dialogue (Source: VNA) VietnameseDeputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh made the suggestion atthe dialogue, which was part of his workingvisit to Italy from April 27-30, noting that bilateral defence cooperationhas failed to meet expectation in the past time.
Heintroduced Vietnam’s participation in the United Nations peacekeepingactivities and expressed his belief that Italy will become an important partnerof Vietnam in this field.
Vinhadded that Vietnam also hopes to strengthen ties with Italy in the defenceindustry and in military logistics, medicine and training.
The Vietnamese deputy defence minister briefed the Italian side on the securitysituation in Asia-Pacific, saying the region is facing security challenges suchas development gap, territorial dispute, nuclear threat and other non-conventionalsecurity challenges.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the Vietnamese officer stressed Vietnam’s consistentstance on settling all disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of internationallaw.
He took the occasion to convey Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich’s invitation to theItalian Defence Minister to visit Vietnam in the future.
For his part,Domenico Rossi, State Secretary for Defence of Italy, who co-chaired the dialogue,highlighted the flourishing development of the Vietnam-Italy relations acrossfields.
He reaffirmed theItalian Government’s support for defence cooperation between the two countries.
The Italian side will continue receiving Vietnamese officers to participate intraining courses in institutes and schools of the Italian army, he stated.
He also shared his country’s position on issues in the world, the region andthe fight against terrorism.
Aspart of the visit, the Vietnamese officer met with Italy’s Defence CommanderGeneral Claudio Graziano, and visited a number of Italian defence enterprises.
In an interview granted to Italy-based Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent, DeputyMinister Vinh stressed that the dialogue is a new development step in the defenceties between the two countries.
According to the Deputy Minister, the Italian side has demonstrated their wishto promote defence links with Vietnam, especially in defence policy andstrategy, in order to build a more comprehensive defence relationship betweenthe two countries in the context of changes in the region and the world.
The European country also hopes to expand ties with Vietnam in defenceindustry, military trade, and other fields.
Vinh affirmed that Italy plays an important role in Vietnam’s foreign policy andthe enhanced defence links will contribute to strengthening the strategic partnershipbetween the two countries.
Cooperating with Italy will help Vietnam’s army improve the quality of technicalequipment and the training of officers, he said.
TheDefence Ministries of Vietnam and Italy signed an MoU on cooperation after thetwo countries set up their strategic partnership in 2013.-VNA
VNA
