Vietnam - UK strengthen defense cooperation

As part of the trip accompanying General Secretary To Lam on an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), on the evening of October 28 (local time), in London, General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, met with Mr. Vernon Coaker, UK Secretary of State for Defense.

According to the Ministry of National Defense , at the meeting, General Phan Van Giang expressed his delight at the development of the Vietnam-UK relationship over the past 50 years, since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973. The relationship between the two countries has always been strengthened and developed on the basis of respect, equality, and mutual understanding for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

General Phan Van Giang and Mr. Vernon Coaker

PHOTO: Ministry of National Defense

General Phan Van Giang emphasized that the official visit of General Secretary To Lam to the UK has a very special significance, affirming Vietnam's respect and priority in developing relations with the UK in all areas of cooperation, including defense.

Over the past time, the defense cooperation relationship between Vietnam and the United Kingdom has been implemented in the right direction, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defense cooperation signed in 2017 and agreed upon by the leaders of the two countries' Defense Ministries, achieving many positive and outstanding results in areas such as delegation exchange; training; maritime security and safety; defense industry; and United Nations peacekeeping .

In the coming time, General Phan Van Giang suggested that the two sides continue to closely coordinate and effectively implement key contents, including promoting delegation exchanges at all levels, enhancing cooperation in the fields of training, navy, defense industry, and United Nations peacekeeping; maintaining and expanding cooperation between defense research institutes.

Defense delegates of the two countries took a group photo.

PHOTO: Ministry of National Defense

Mr. Phan Van Giang affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense is ready to receive British soldiers to study at the Academy of Military Science and the international defense official course at the National Defense Academy.

In addition, in 2026, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense will organize the 3rd Vietnam International Defense Exhibition, hoping that the British Ministry of Defense will continue to support and send a delegation of officials and defense businesses to attend this event.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vernon Coaker emphasized that Vietnam is one of the UK's important partners in the field of defense cooperation. In particular, experience exchange cooperation is one of the key contents that the UK is interested in promoting.

Mr. Vernon Coaker affirmed that he will make more efforts to contribute to promoting the Vietnam - UK relationship in general and the cooperation between the two countries' defense ministries in particular to develop more and more effectively.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/viet-nam-anh-tang-cuong-hop-tac-quoc-phong-185251029165239209.htm