Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomed Minister Phan Van Giang at the US Department of Defense headquarters. Photo: US Department of Defense
Mr. Lloyd Austin was pleased to welcome General Phan Van Giang on his first official visit to the US as Vietnam's Minister of Defense. Minister Lloyd Austin highly appreciated the positive cooperation results that Vietnam and the US have achieved since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The upgrade of the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership creates a good foundation for the future of Vietnam-US relations in general and defense cooperation between the two countries in particular. Minister Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war in the overall relationship between the two countries. The US Government and Department of Defense will continue to cooperate and support Vietnam in this field. On this occasion, Minister Lloyd Austin thanked Vietnam for fulfilling its commitment to supporting the search for US soldiers missing in action during the war. Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam wishes to develop cooperation with the US on the basis of the legitimate interests of both sides, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. At the talks, the two sides assessed that the defense cooperation relationship continued to be actively implemented and achieved practical results: Exchange of delegations, dialogue - consultation, overcoming the consequences of war, searching for US soldiers missing in action (MIA), training, military medicine, UN peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, etc. Vietnam highly appreciated the US's support and commitment in overcoming the consequences of war, typically increasing the budget to support the dioxin detoxification project at Bien Hoa airport and activities to support people with disabilities affected by Agent Orange. The US side provided documents and many souvenirs related to Vietnamese soldiers who were missing, or died in the war. Vietnam has also closely coordinated with the US to effectively implement joint MIA search activities.
The two ministers held talks. Photo: US Department of Defense
The two sides agreed to promote high-level exchanges and contacts and maintain the existing dialogue and consultation mechanism to enhance mutual understanding and trust, as well as identify areas of cooperation suitable to the needs and capabilities of each side. The two ministers emphasized continuing to prioritize cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war, focusing on accelerating the progress of dioxin contamination treatment at Bien Hoa airport, overcoming the consequences of unexploded bombs and mines, and providing information, documents and supporting equipment and DNA testing technology to serve the search and collection of remains of Vietnamese martyrs who went missing during the war. The two sides also promoted and deepened cooperation in: UN peacekeeping, training, military medicine, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, consultation and mutual support at multilateral forums... In the coming time, cooperation between the two countries' Ministries of Defense will continue to develop, for the benefit of each country, for peace, stability and common development of the region and the world, contributing to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development of Vietnam - the US. On this occasion, General Phan Van Giang once again respectfully invited Secretary Lloyd Austin and leaders of the Ministry of Defense, US defense industry enterprises to Vietnam to attend the second International Defense Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Hanoi in December.
Minister Phan Van Giang presented to Minister Lloyd Austin some memorabilia of American soldiers missing in action during the war. Photo: Thu Trang
General Phan Van Giang and Secretary Lloyd Austin exchanged war relics and information related to Vietnamese and American soldiers missing in action during the war. During the visit, General Phan Van Giang visited the US National Defense University and had discussions with officials and scholars at the highest level of the US Department of Defense.Vietnamnet.vn
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/hai-bo-truong-quoc-phong-viet-nam-va-my-trao-nhau-ky-vat-chien-tranh-2320597.html
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