Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang hosted a reception on April 16 for outgoing US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink, who came to bid farewell at the end of his term.
Vietnam’s peacekeeping force has worked to enhance the country’s position in promoting the implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including maintaining sustainable peace around the world, Major General Hoang Kim Phung, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, has said.
Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang received ambassadors of Laos, Cambodia, China and Russia in Hanoi on April 14.
Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong highlighted security-defence ties as a pillar in the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership while hosting visiting Secretary of the Security Council of Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev in Hanoi on March 17.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh held a virtual discussion on March 10 with New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta, during which they agreed to promote the role of the two foreign ministries in bolstering cooperation between Vietnam and New Zealand.
2020 was an eventful year for Vietnam’s defence external affairs sector as the country successfully organised the 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and the 7th ADMM Plus. In the context of Vietnam being ASEAN Chair in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, its successes are historic.
Images of Vietnam’s flag flying at the Army Games 2020, UN peacekeeping operations, and ASEAN meetings over the years prove the significant role of defence diplomacy in improving the prestige and position of the army and the country in the international arena.
Defence diplomacy is not only an external task of the Ministry of National Defence or the army but also associated with national independence, sovereignty, and interests of Vietnam, as well as security and peace in the region and the world.
The 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-14) took place via videoconference on December 9 under the chair of the Vietnamese Minister of National Defence, Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich.
Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong has lauded the achievements of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of Defence, and officials and soldiers during 2020, which contributed to the completion of targets and tasks set in the resolution of the 12th National Party Congress.
The ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting Working Group (ADSOM WG) was held via video conference on November 16 and aimed at promoting defence cooperation among ASEAN member states.