VN, South Africa agree to maintain defence policy dialogue

At the talks between Minister of National Defence Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich and South African Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula

The agreement was reached between Minister of National Defence Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich and South Africa’s Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula during their talks in Ha Noi on August 22.

Minister Lich expressed his belief that the official visit by the guest from August 22 to 26 will help create a new momentum for the “partnership for cooperation and development” between Viet Nam and South Africa.

For her part, the South African minister affirmed that the bilateral defence cooperation is one of the important activities that contribute to the stronger friendship and cooperation between the two States for the sake of peace, cooperation and common development in the region and the world.

The two ministers reached high consensus on the overall assessment of the Vietnam-South Africa defence relations in recent years, based on the agreement on defence ties signed in 2006. The two sides have held dialogues and consultations, exchanged delegations, and cooperated in the defence industry, logistics and medical military.

They agreed to increase all-level delegation exchanges to promote mutual trust and understanding. 

The two sides shared the view that defence industry, including technology transfer, is one of the potential fields for bilateral collaboration.

They agreed to expand research cooperation in telecommunications and create conditions for Viet Nam’s military telecom group Viettel to make investment in South Africa.

Regarding personnel training, Viet Nam proposed that South Africa provide scholarships for Vietnamese students to study English, science-technology, computer, medical military, and logistics.

Minister Lich affirmed that Viet Nam is willing to receive South African military students to learn Vietnamese and join defence policy research courses at the Defence National Academy.

He suggested that the two sides prioritise collaboration in medical military, military equipment, traditional medicine, and exchange of experts based on South Africa’s requests.

The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation and share experience in joining the United Nations peacekeeping activities. South Africa is expected to share its know-how in building medical military and sapper forces in this field for Viet Nam.

The two sides will study the possibility of supporting each other in peacekeeping tasks, especially in South Sudan and some African countries.

The two ministers also mentioned coordination in anti-terrorism. Viet Nam welcomes the South African Special Forces Brigade to visit Viet Nam at an appropriate time to study cooperation opportunities between the two sides.

During her working visit to Viet Nam, the South African defence minister is scheduled to visit the General Department of Defence Industry and Viettel telecom group.-VNA