Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyễn Chí Vịnh led a delegation of Vietnamese defence officers to attend a meeting of EU Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) in Brussels from May 19-22.— VNA/VNS Photo Đức Hùng

BRUSSELS — Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyễn Chí Vịnh led a delegation of Vietnamese defence officers to attend a meeting of EU Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) in Brussels from May 19-22 at the invitation of Chairman of the EU Military Committee, General Claudio Graziano.
At the conference, the delegation joined discussions on non-combat training mission and on the 'Single European Sky', during which Vịnh said that Việt Nam values the Việt Nam-EU defence co-operation.
He shared Việt Nam's experiences in participating in training and coaching activities for UN peacekeeping.
The official stressed the two sides need to soon make an agreement between the Vietnamese Government and the EU on establishing Việt Nam's participation framework in crisis management activities of the EU to lay a foundation for their co-operation.
The two sides should share their experience in areas of potential co-operation, especially in UN peacekeeping, he added.
Within the framework of their trip, the Vietnamese delegation had a working session with General Graziano, during which the EU official applauded Việt Nam’s participation in the event and wished to continue strengthening defence ties with Việt Nam.
He said enhanced co-operation with Việt Nam helps strengthen the EU’s position, especially in Asia-Pacific.
The committee wants to support Việt Nam in training, especially in peacekeeping and foreign language training, he said, expressing his hope that Việt Nam will share its experiences with EU member countries in terms of peacekeeping.
Vịnh expressed his desire to expand defence co-operation with the EU, focusing on training and peacekeeping.
The two sides agreed to assign their agencies to reach consensus on technical-related issues to soon sign a memorandum of understanding on the Việt Nam-EU defence co-operation.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Vietnamese delegation had working sessions with relevant agencies of the EU and defence commanders of other countries to discuss plans for co-operation, and call for their support for Việt Nam’s candidacy for a non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2019-20 tenure. — VNS