Vietnam, Spain boost national defence cooperation

During talks with Salaverria on December 2, Senior Lieutenant General Vinh briefed the host on the current situation in the region and Vietnam’s socio-economic development in recent times. He said that Vietnam-Spain relations have developed strongly in many fields, especially since the two countries lifted bilateral ties to the level of strategic partnership.

As Vietnam attaches much importance to strengthening cooperative ties with Spain, especially in national defence, he proposed that the two sides promote national defence cooperation in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2010, with its focus on exchanging visits, training military personnel and sharing experience in joining the UN peace keeping force, bomb and landmine clearance and defence activities.

Vinh expressed his belief that promoting national defence cooperation will contribute to strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples and two countries for mutual benefits.

He conveyed Minister of National Defence Phung Quang Thanh’s invitation to visit Vietnam to the Spanish Minister of Defence.

For his part, Salaverria said defence ties will grow and flourish on the basis of bilateral strategic partnership.

Despite the impact of the global economic and financial crisis and defence budget cut, the Spanish army is set to fulfill its national and international tasks. Spain considers the implementation of the Memoranda of Understanding signed with Vietnam and other countries as an important task, Salaverria said.

During their stay in Spain from December 2-4, the Vietnamese delegation visited some Spanish army units.