VN, Canada sign MoU on defense cooperation

Vietnamese Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich and his Canadian counterpart Harjit Singh Sajjan sign a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation

The two ministers held talks in Ottawa on May 6 as part of the official visit to Canada from May 4-12 by Minister Lich. 

The two sides brought up regional and international issues of shared concern. 
Harjit said Canada will cooperate with relevant countries to contribute to peace, stability and development in Asia-Pacific. 

They noted with pleasure the development of the bilateral defense ties over the past time, especially in training and participation in UN peacekeeping operations. 

Lich took the occasion to thank the Canadian side for its scholarships in English and peacekeeping for Vietnamese officers under the Military Training Cooperation Program. 

Host and guest agreed to enhance collaboration in dialogues, consultations, personnel training, peacekeeping operations, defense industry, cyber security, search and rescue operations, and maritime security. 

Viet Nam welcomes Canada’s naval ships to pay friendly visits to the country and engage in joint activities during the visits like search and rescue operations and the practice of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES). 

The ministers agreed to push up cooperation possibility in law enforcement between coast guards of the two countries. 

Lich suggested the Canadian Department of National Defense urge the Canadian Government to assist Viet Nam in the settlement of post-war consequences, including bomb and mine clearance and dioxin detoxification. 

Viet Nam backs Canada to become a responsible partner in defense in ASEAN and hopes that the country will make more contributions to peace, friendship and cooperation in the region and the world at large, Lich said. 

While in Canada, Minister Lich met with David Morrison, Foreign and Defense Policy Advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister.

By Hoang Ha