During the meeting, General Phan Van Giang congratulated Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti on his successful term in Vietnam, making a significant contribution to promoting Vietnam-EU relations in general and cooperation in the defense sector in particular. General Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam-EU relations are given attention and maintained by high-level leaders of both sides, as demonstrated by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit in December 2022 to attend the ASEAN-EU Summit commemorating the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations. The visit contributed to promoting the positive development of ASEAN-EU relations, achieving effectiveness in various fields: economy , trade, climate change response, etc. General Phan Van Giang highly appreciated Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti's efforts in recent times, including supporting the implementation of measures to lift the yellow card (IUU) on Vietnamese seafood.

Scenes from the reception.

During the meeting, General Phan Van Giang affirmed that, in recent years, cooperation in the field of defense has been implemented by both sides in accordance with the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) and the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the EU on establishing a framework for Vietnam's participation in EU crisis management activities (FPA). Defense cooperation between the two sides has achieved positive results in the following areas: Defense and Security Dialogue (recently, the two sides successfully held the 3rd Vietnam-EU Defense and Security Dialogue in May 2023); cooperation in training, UN peacekeeping , and post-war remediation. In particular, in the field of UN peacekeeping, the EU has supported Vietnam in sending two officers to the EU Training Mission in the Central African Republic for the first time and has sent EU experts to work at the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department from 2019 to the present.

General Phan Văn Giang presents a gift to EU Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti.

General Phan Van Giang expressed his confidence that, in his new position, with his capabilities and experience, Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti will continue to achieve many successes, contributing to promoting cooperative relations between the EU and countries in the region, including Vietnam, for the peace, stability, cooperation and common development of the region and the world.

General Phan Van Giang, Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, and other delegates at the reception.

For his part, Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti expressed his honor to meet General Phan Van Giang and conveyed his affection for the country and people of Vietnam, where he has had many interesting experiences during his term of office. Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti affirmed that the Vietnam-EU relationship has developed strongly in recent years, and that the cooperation between the two sides has even greater potential for further development in the future. On this occasion, Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti expressed his gratitude for the support of Vietnam in general and the Ministry of National Defence in particular throughout his term of office in Vietnam; emphasized Vietnam's efforts in many fields, including UN peacekeeping operations; and affirmed that the EU is not only a partner but also a friend always ready to cooperate and accompany the Vietnamese Government in all fields.

HA PHUONG