Vietnam, Italy agree to boost defense cooperation

Vietnam and Italy have agreed to strengthen defense cooperation in various fields, focusing on delegation exchange at all levels, human resources training, defense industry, and technology transfer.
An overview of the conference (Photo: VNA)

An overview of the conference (Photo: VNA)

The consensus was announced on July 3 at the fourth Vietnam-Italy defense policy dialogue in Italy, co-chaired by Deputy Defense Minister Hoang Xuan Chien and Italian Undersecretary of State for Defense Matteo Perego Cremnago.

During the event, the two sides pledged to promote the exchange of experiences in deploying forces to participate in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping activities, overcoming the consequences of the war in Vietnam, and collaborating in cyber security for peace, cooperation, and development for the benefit of both peoples.

Deputy Defense Minister Hoang Xuan Chien pays a courtesy call to Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy Defense Minister Hoang Xuan Chien pays a courtesy call to Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. (Photo: VNA)

In addition, they shared their views on international and regional issues of common interest. They emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and security, including maritime security, and advocated for the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, in particular the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Cremnago underlined Italy's willingness to support the Vietnam People's Army to strengthen its capabilities and promote practical and effective bilateral defense cooperation through the defense policy dialogue at the vice-ministerial level.

While in the European country, Chien and his delegation paid a courtesy call to Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and held meetings with Admiral Luciano Portolano, Secretary General of Defense and National Director of Armaments, and representatives of the Italian Association of Aerospace and Defense Industries to discuss measures to promote defense collaboration.

Deputy Defense Minister Hoang Xuan Chien meets with Admiral Luciano Portolano, Secretary General of Defense and National Director of Armaments (Photo: VNA)

Deputy Defense Minister Hoang Xuan Chien meets with Admiral Luciano Portolano, Secretary General of Defense and National Director of Armaments (Photo: VNA)

This year, Vietnam and Italy celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations (1973 - 2023) and 10 years of strategic partnership (2013 - 2023). Over the past 50 years, friendship and cooperation between the two countries have always been promoted in many fields such as politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, investment, defense, security, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.

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