President Quang warmly welcomed the Canadian Defence Minister, saying his visit to Vietnam takes place at a time when the two countries are implementing agreements to foster the Comprehensive Partnership, which was set up in 2017, and celebrating the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties (August 21, 1973).
Vietnam is keen on developing the Comprehensive Partnership with Canada, he reiterated, adding that the two nations have maintained a good relations and together made efforts to promote common goals and economic growth and increase trade exchange. The president also cited the fact that Vietnam is now Canada’s biggest trade partner in ASEAN while Canada is among Vietnam’s large investors.
The Canadian Defence Minister, for his part, informed his host on outcomes of the talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Ngo Xuan Lich during which the two sides agreed to step up partnership in areas of mutual interest, including defence industry, personnel training, UN peacekeeping missions, marine security and military medicine. The ministers also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Military Training and Cooperation Programme of Canada, allowing Vietnamese officers to take part in diverse training courses in Canada.
Sajjan spoke highly of the Vietnamese community in Canada, saying some 14,000 Vietnamese students who are studying in Canada would play a significant part in consolidating and developing the two countries’ relations.
Furthermore, he emphasised that as an Asian-Pacific nation who looks to promote cooperation to maintain the regional stability, Canada supports the rule of law and observance of international law in the settlement of territorial disputes, particularly in the East Sea.
President Tran Dai Quang highly valued the outcomes of the talks between the two ministers. He asked the two defence ministries to closely work together to effectively implement the agreements in a bid to make the defence ties a pillar of the two nations’ relationship.
The Vietnamese top leaders also appreciated Canada’s stance in the East Sea issues and thanked the Government and people of Canada for facilitating Vietnamese citizens, including 14,000 students, to live and study there, saying they are bridges for strengthening the bilateral ties.
Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan is paying an official visit to Vietnam from June 4 to 6 at the invitation of Minister of National Defence Ngo Xuan Lich.
