Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh (front, second, left) and South African Secretary for Defence Samson Makhudu Gulube (front, first, left) co-chair the dialogue (Photo: VNA)
Pretoria (VNA) - Vietnam andSouth Africa held their second Defence Policy Dialogue in Pretoria on March 29.
Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen.Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh and South African Secretary for Defence SamsonMakhudu Gulube co-chaired the event.
Gulube highlighted the growingrelations between South Africa and Vietnam in different fields, includingnational defence.
He reiterated the South AfricanGovernment’s support for bilateral cooperation in defence industry, adding thathis nation is willing to receive Vietnamese students for training courses.
The Secretary also updated the Vietnameseofficers on the situation in Africa as well as South Africa’s defence policy andoperations of its army.
For his part, Vinh briefed the hosts aboutsecurity in Asia-Pacific, affirming that peace, cooperation and development aremain trends in the region.
He also pointed out several regionalchallenges, including the gap between the rich and the poor, territorialdisputes, and other non-traditional security challenges, saying that the regionhas faced a risk of instability and witnessed an arm race among the world’s powers.
Vinh affirmed Vietnam’s stance on theEast Sea issue, saying that Vietnam strongly supports the settlement ofdisputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures and in line withinternational law. Vietnam also advocates non-nuclearization on the Koreanpeninsula.
Regarding the bilateral defencecooperation, Vinh said the two countries need to strengthen an effectivecooperation mechanism.
South Africa is an important partnerof Vietnam in the UN’s peace-keeping operations, Vinh said, adding that Vietnamhighly evaluated cooperation in defence industry, logistics, military medical,and training.
Vietnam is also willing to receiveSouth African students for training courses provided by the National DefenceAcademy of Vietnam.
He agreed with the host’s idea toorganise a mid-term conference to review the implementation of the nationaldefence cooperation agreements and invited the Secretary and a South Africandelegation to attend the conference slated for the fourth quarter of 2017.-VNA
Chris Matlhako, a member of the Politburo of the South Africa Communist Party (SACP), said that the East Sea issue should be resolved by peaceful measures on the basis of international law.
Vietnam hopes to increase the exchange of economic information with South Africa and enhance closer connectivity between businesses of the two countries, stated Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung.
Information on trade and tourism cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa was highlighted at a conference held in Thu Dau Mot city, the southern province of Binh Duong on February 23.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh (front, second, left) and South African Secretary for Defence Samson Makhudu Gulube (front, first, left) co-chair the dialogue (Photo: VNA) 
