Professional exchange between the Vietnamese and French defence ministries in June 2018 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has registered some 268 strong standby armyengineers to join the United Nations (UN)’s peacekeeping mission in South Sudanafter the Defence Minister agreed in principle to dispatch an engineer troop inreplacement of the UK’s in 2020.
Examining Vietnam’s registration to the Peacekeeping Capability ReadinessSystem (PCRS), the UN has required that Vietnam better its major equipment andself-sustainment services. It will send a team to Vietnam for furtherinspection by mid-2019.
At a meeting in Hanoi on February 18, Colonel Hoang Kim Phung, Director of theVietnam Peacekeeping Department, said that the department has joined hands withcompetent agencies to organise training courses as well as English and Frenchlanguage courses for the engineers.
Negotiation is underway with the UN and the UK for engineer replacement inFebruary 2020 when the UK peacekeepers complete their mission and withdraw fromthe war-torn area.
There are currently five candidates for the position with Bangladesh, Cambodia,and Vietnam all granted level 1 readiness in the PSRS, which means they are allable to provide the list of major and self-sustainment equipment as well as thecertification of completion of basic training and human rights screening.Meanwhile, China and Croatia have not registered to the system yet.
Phung said that the UN has voiced support for Vietnam if the Southeast Asiancountry can fit its capacity, human resources, and equipment requirements.
According to Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, theVietnam Peacekeeping Department and relevant departments should coordinate inthe purchase of equipment, ensuring that it meets the UN’s quality standards.
In addition, meticulous preparation must be made prior to the UN’s evaluationin a couple of months, he said, adding that the Engineer Corps High Command isresponsible for accommodation and training, while the peacekeeping department andthe Department of Foreign Relations are in charge of conducting surveys in theAfrican country.
Also, he is asking the Republic of Korea, France, and the UK to provideprofessional training for Vietnamese troops.
Joining the UN’s peacekeeping force for the 2014-2020 period, Vietnam has sofar sent 29 officers and one level-2 field hospital to the UN MultidimensionalIntegrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic and the UNMission in South Sudan. –VNA
Vietnam’s participation in the UN’s peacekeeping mission is a breakthrough in implementing the Party’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, stated Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh.
The Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations on January 21 opened a training course on civilian protection for 16 Vietnamese officers and 10 others from foreign countries.
Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh on February 13 handed over the President’s decision to another officer to take on duty at the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Professional exchange between the Vietnamese and French defence ministries in June 2018 (Photo: VNA)
