Vietnam-UK enhances defense relations for common peace and prosperity
WVR - UK Defence Minister Vernon Coaker visited Vietnam this week to further strengthen the defence partnership, co-chairing the fifth UK-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue with Vice Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant-General Hoang Xuan Chien.
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| Vietnam Vice Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant-General Hoang Xuan Chien (right) co-chaired the Fifth UK-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue with UK Defence Minister Mr. Vernon Coaker. (Photo: British Embassy Hanoi) |
On September 13, UK Defence Minister Lord Vernon Coaker co-chaired the Fifth UK-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue with Vice Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant-General Hoang Xuan Chien.
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The year 2023 marked 50 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Vietnam, and the relationship has developed over this time, including on defence and security.
The Defence Policy Dialogue is an annual bilateral meeting between the UK and Vietnam, agreeing on the future framework for joint defence cooperation.
At the dialogue, Minister Vernon Coaker expressed his honor to visit Hanoi and meet with Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Chien to discuss approaches to regional security and stability. He also expressed his desire to continue cooperating with Vietnam for common peace and prosperity.
According to Lord Coaker, the UK is committed to further strengthening defence cooperation, aiming for stability in the Indo-Pacific region, which is closely linked to European security.
Lord Coaker extended his deepest condolences to the people of northern provinces affected by super typhoon Yagi and acknowledged the extraordinary efforts of the Vietnamese government, the military and police forces, as well as the people of Vietnam in responding to this natural disaster.
As part of the visit, Lord Coaker visited the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department and met with soldiers from the British Army's 8 Engineer Brigade who have been supporting Vietnam with training and set out how the UK is eager to assist with future initiatives.
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| Lord Vernon Coaker, the UK Minister of Defence, visited the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations and met with its Director, Colonel Pham Minh Thang. (Photo: British Embassy Hanoi) |
The UK is supporting Vietnam in developing as a UN Troop Contributing Nation, and has supported Vietnam's deployments since 2018, including to South Sudan and Abyei, by training medical and engineering personnel.
