External defence relations reviewed
VOV.VN - A conference was held in Hanoi on August 17 reviewing external defence relations in the 2010-2015 period and two years of implementing the Central Military Commission’s resolution on international integration and external defence relations until 2020.
Addressing the conference, Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich reiterated that the consistent goal of international integration and external defence relations is to safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, as well as national interests and a peaceful environment for development.
Lich asked officials in charge of external defence relations to intensify strategic research and forecast; considering external defence relations as a strategic orientation and a solution to protect the country.
He underscored the need for defence units and agencies to focus on fostering relations with countries sharing strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships with Vietnam on the basis of ensuring independence, sovereignty, mutual respect, equality and shared benefits for the interest of each country and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
He also demanded closer coordination with other ministries and sectors in making plans and policies in the field as well as conducting external defence relations activities, while improving communications to promote the image of the Vietnam People’s Army to international friends thereby clarifying the defence policies of the Party and State.
Over the past five years, achievements have been recorded in external defence relations with the active and proactive participation of the Defence Ministry in multilateral defence cooperation mechanisms within the framework of ASEAN.
The ministry has fully implemented the plan on joining the United Nations peace-keeping operations in the 2014-2020 period.