Deputy PM Minh welcomes Chairman of EU Military Committee

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh (R) welcomes Permanent Chairman of the European Union Military Committee Mikhail Kostarakos at the Government Office in Ha Noi on December 5, 2017. Photo: VGP

Deputy PM made the above statement at his reception for Mikhail Kostarakos at the Government Office in Ha Noi on Tuesday.

The PCA, which was signed in 2012 and took effect since October 1, 2016, has proved to be effective, contributing to boost the relations between Viet Nam and the EU, Deputy PM Minh noted.

He also said both sides have had various contacts and meetings on the sidelines of the international conferences and summits, and most recently PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with President of the European Council Donald Tusk in Manila, the Philippines last November.

Deputy PM suggested both sides should beef up the exchanges of delegations and share experiences in the fields of mutual concerns while considering improvement of legal framework for defense cooperation.

Viet Nam is deeply interested in fostering cooperation in such areas like maritime security, cyber security, and peace-keeping, said Deputy PM Minh, adding that he had been to Haiti to learn about the EU’s peacekeeping operations ten years ago.

He expressed his wish that General Mikhail Kostarakos would continue his efforts to further strengthen defense cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU, making contribution to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

For his part, Mikhail Kostarakos briefed the host about the outcomes of his talks with Vietnamese Vice Minister of National Defense Nguyen Chi Vinh.

He said that it is time for Viet Nam and the EU to bolster ties, including defense cooperation.

General Mikhail Kostarakos said he rolled out six defense cooperation proposals at his talks with Vinh./.

By Hai Minh