Viet Nam always regards EU as important strategic partner

General Phan Van Giang, Politburo Member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, hosted a reception in Ha Noi on November 5 for a high-level European business delegation led by Noel Clehane, Vice Chairman of the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC).

General Phan Van Giang receives Noel Clehane, Vice Chairman of the EU-ABC. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

General Phan Van Giang affirmed that Viet Nam has always regarded the European Union (EU) as an important strategic partner in its international integration and socio-economic development.

Defence cooperation between the two sides has been implemented in line with their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in defence industries, high technology, aerospace and military medicine.

Viet Nam is committed to building and developing a proactive, self-reliant, resilient, modern and dual-use defence industry, making it a spearhead sector of the national industry to safeguard the country's independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

The country also pursues a policy of multilateralisation and diversification of partnerships, promoting equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with all partners, including European countries.

General Phan Van Giang called for stronger cooperation in training, exchanges and sharing of professional expertise in military medicine, particularly in search and rescue operations and epidemic response.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence always creates favourable conditions for cooperation with partners demonstrating goodwill, capabilities and a commitment to long-term cooperation.

He also expressed his hope that European businesses would cooperate in transferring core technologies and supporting the training of highly skilled human resources, thereby helping Viet Nam strengthen its domestic technological capabilities and self-reliance.

An overview of the reception. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

On behalf of the high-level European business delegation, Noel Clehane thanked General Phan Van Giang for receiving the delegation. He emphasised that the visit took place at an important juncture, following the upgrade of relations between the two sides to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening up new opportunities for bilateral cooperation not only in economics, trade and investment but also in defence and security.

Noel Clehane stressed that the European business community was keen to strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam across various sectors, thereby contributing to the country's development.

He also expressed his hope that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence would continue to support and facilitate investment and business activities by European enterprises in Viet Nam.

NDO