Officers of Vietnam and South Africa met in the Vietnam-South Africa Defence Policy Dialogue in Hanoi on November 17, focusing on orientations to promote defence links between the two nations in the near future.

Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh (R) and  Dr. S.M Gulube, South Africa's Secretary for Defence and Military Veterans.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Defence Minister, while its South African counterpart was headed by Dr. S.M Gulube, Secretary for Defence and Military Veterans.

The two sides compared their notes of regional issues and respective defence policy, and put forth measures to foster future cooperation.

They agreed to continue enhancing all-level delegation exchange, personnel training and experience sharing in joining the UN’s peace-keeping operations. They also discussed connections in the defence industry.

The officers affirmed that the Dialogue aims to implement effectively cooperation agreements signed between the two countries’ Ministries of Defence in 2006 and contents agreed at the third session of the Vietnam-South Africa inter-governmental partnership forum in June this year, thus contributing to expanding bilateral defence connection.

Dr. S.M Gulube highlighted the long-lasting friendship between the two countries, affirming that South Africa’s military and people will always stand side by side with their Vietnamese counterparts to reinforce and further the ties.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Vinh congratulated South Africa on its recent important achievements in all fields, saying that South Africa’s position is presented through not only its great contributions to peace-keeping activities in Africa, but also its increasing role at international organisations.

On the occasion, the officers signed a regulations on organising the Vietnam-South Africa Defence Policy Dialogue.

VNA