Thai defence minister’s visit promotes mutual understanding

Host Minister of Defence Ngo Xuan Lich holds talks with his Thai counterpart on January 23. (Photo: VNA)

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Prawit Wongsuwan is currently visiting Vietnam from January 23-24, with the intention of enhancing the traditional friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations’ armies.

Right after the welcoming ceremony in Hanoi on January 23, host Minister of Defence Ngo Xuan Lich held talks with his Thai counterpart, during which both sides spoke highly of the sound cooperation between the two countries in the past years and reached a consensus on collaborative orientations for the time ahead.

Since the two countries upgraded their relations into a strategic partnership back in 2013, the defence cooperative ties have developed in a positive manner, with regular delegation exchanges and robust collaboration in the fields of air force and navy. The established dialogue mechanisms between the two ministries in particular have shown outstanding efficiency.

Vietnam stands ready to support Thailand as the country starts its role as the rotating Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2019. As Vietnam becomes ASEAN Chair in 2020, it hopes that the neighbouring country will share experience in preparing and managing all conferences.

Regarding the search for and repatriation of Vietnamese martyrs’ remains, Thai veterans and competent authorities have provided information about Vietnamese soldiers who went missing or laid down their lives during the war.

In the coming time, both sides will continue their existing cooperative mechanisms, maintain delegation exchanges, promote language training, and closely coordinate at multilateral forums. These moves will contribute to bolstering the traditional friendship, as well as elevate the bilateral ties to a new high, bringing practical benefits to both peoples and for regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

VNA

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