Thailand, Vietnam boost defence links
VOV.VN - Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member and deputy secretary of the Central Military Commission, hosted a reception on March 15 in Hanoi for Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand in Vietnam Nikorndej Balankura who came to bid farewell at the end of his working term in Vietnam.
Minister Giang congratulated Ambassador Balankura on fulfilling his working term in the country, going on to acknowledge and appreciate the Ambassador's contributions to promoting the joint strategic partnership in the fields of politics, diplomacy, defence - security, economics, trade and investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
This has contributed significantly to consolidating strategic trust between the two countries as well as upgrading relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in the time ahead.
The Minister said that in terms of defence co-operation over recent times, the two sides have attached importance to and maintained promoting ties across multiple fields such as maintaining effective defence policy dialogue and consultation mechanisms and exchanges between armies, training security, and maritime safety.
He hailed the contributions made by Ambassador Balankura in deepening the friendship and trust between the defence ministries, especially in effective co-ordination to carry out the action programme on the Vietnam - Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership for the2022 to 2027 period.
On this occasion, Minister Giang respectfully asked the Ambassador to convey an invitation to the Minister of Defence of Thailand and Thai defence enterprises to visit Vietnam on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Army of Vietnam, 35 years of the National Defence Festival, and attending the Vietnam International Defence Exhibition in 2024.
Ambassador Balankura thanked Minister Giang and competent agencies of the Ministry of Defence for their attention and creating conditions for him to successfully complete his working term in Vietnam.
He emphasized that defence co-operation has become a pillar and foundation to enhance relationships between the two countries.
The Thai Ambassador said he would convey the invitation from the Minister of National Defence of Vietnam to the leader of the Thai Ministry of National Defence. Ambassador Balankura stated that in his new position, he will continue to pay attention to and step up co-operation between the two countries, including bilateral defence ties.
