Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Banh aside of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Retreat in Seam Riep, Cambodia, on November 15.

 

Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh congratulated Cambodia for its fine performance as ASEAN Chair in 2012 and successful organisation of ASEAN related meetings, including the ADMM.

The two defence ministers spoke highly of the effectiveness of the two countries’ defence co-operation, which has positively contributed to consolidating and developing the fine bilateral traditional friendship and co-operation.

They agreed to further strengthen bilateral co-operation, primarily in defence sector human resource training - increasing solidarity between defence forces and contributing to building a borderline of peace, stability and mutual development for the common interest of the two peoples.

The same day, Minister Phung Quang Thanh met with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Douangchay Phichith.

They both stressed the importance of defence co-operation activities in consolidating and developing the Vietnam-Laos solidarity.

Minister Phung Quang Thanh expressed his gratitude to Laos’ army and people for their positive assistance to Vietnam in the search and repatriation of the remains of fallen Vietnamese soldiers in the Lao battlefields.

The Lao Minister thanked the Vietnamese side for their help in training Lao defence staff and the organisation of the ninth ASEM Summit.

The two sides agreed to boost co-operation and exchanges between defence units to contribute to tightening the special friendship and solidarity between the two nations.

At a meeting with Brunei ’s Deputy Defence Minister Moharmamad Yasmin Umar, Minister Phung Quang Thanh backed his request for Vietnamese support and experience-sharing in the organisation of ASEAN defence meetings that will be hosted by Brunei next year.

The two sides agreed to support and participate in defence co-operation activities within the ASEAN framework as well as humanitarian and disaster aid drills.

Minister Phung Quang Thanh also met with his Filipino counterpart Voltaire T. Gazmin to discuss measures to boost bilateral co-operation that will cultivate peace and stability in each country and contribute to an ASEAN of peace, co-operation and development.

(VNA)