France stands ready to share its experience with Vietnam in UN peacekeeping operations and will do its utmost to help the country engage in the mission as best as possible.

The remarks were made by French Deputy Ambassador Remi Lambert at a conference that opened in Hanoi on November 19. The two-day event is jointly held by the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre and the French Embassy’s Defence Attache with the aim of enhancing understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two countries in peacekeeping.

France is currently the world’s third largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, he said, adding that more than 900 French soldiers have been sent across the world to take part in the activities.

Through its remarkable contributions, France has drawn substantial experience in this field, said Lambert.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the European country has also largely contributed to proposing peacekeeping-related dossiers, he noted.

Lieut. Gen. Vo Van Tuan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, spoke highly the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in various areas, including peacekeeping.

Hailing France’s contributions to peacekeeping missions in terms of both finance and forces, the officer noted his hope that the country will support Vietnamese candidates for UN peacekeeping missions.

Tuan, who is also deputy head of the Defence Ministry’s Steering Committee for Peacekeeping, urged the Vietnamese Peacekeeping Centre to work with the French side to chart concrete cooperation roadmaps and plans between the two countries, particularly in areas France has strength like training and equipment supply.

The centre was also asked to invite French experts to teach French language for Vietnamese peacekeeping forces.

During the conference, French experts share their country’s experience in negotiating with the UN for a memorandum of understanding between soldier supplier and the UN, and in building peacekeeping centre, especially in the training and deployment of forces.

Participants are scheduled to learn about the UN structure and peacekeeping operations, and peacekeeping centre models in other countries, as well as functions and tasks of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre.

Vietnam’s participation in the UN peacekeeping missions is in line with the State and army’s guidelines, aiming to realise the country’s foreign policy of multilateralisation and diversification of relations, and active and proactive contributions to international security and peace.

Vietnam has dispatched seven officers to join UN peacekeeping forces in South Sudan and Central Africa.

The country is preparing to deploy the second-level field hospital and a company of engineers to engage in peacekeeping missions when required.

Vietnam wants further Japanese support in food processing

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong expressed wish for further Japanese support to Vietnam in processing and preserving food and farm produce while meeting Vice Governor of Ibaraki prefecture Yamaguchi Yachiru in Tsukuba city on November 18.

Cuong gave praise to scientific, technological and technical development of Ibaraki and Tsukuba city in particular, saying that future bilateral ties in scientific research remains promising.

Yachiru thanked the Vietnamese authorities for providing assistance to links between Ibaraki and Vietnamese localities, which she said, has prompted Japanese firms to seek opportunities in Vietnam.

She spoke highly of a vocational training initiative for 500 Vietnamese workers who will be received by Ibaraki cooperative alliance in the near future.

As Japan is preparing for the 2020 Summer Olympics, she hoped that Vietnam will choose Ibaraki for its sport village project and pledged the provision of all necessary infrastructure and equipment.

Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation visited an exhibit of robots and welfare medical equipment displayed by Cyberbyne company.

They also held working sessions with the High Energy Accelerator Research Organisation, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in Tsubaki.

Established in 1963, Tsukuba is one of the largest scientific cities in Asia and Japan and currently home to 220,000 people, 96 scientific research establishments, two universities and more than 100 technological enterprises.

HCM City fosters ties with Czech Republic

Ho Chi Minh City has undertaken its maximum efforts to boost the special cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic.

The Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan made the statement during a reception for President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Milan Stech in Ho Chi Minh City on November 19.

The municipal leader said the visit contributes to fostering the cooperative ties between the City, in particular, and Vietnam, in general, and the Czech Republic.

Quan said Vietnam will forever keep in mind the support the Czech Republic has provided for its past struggle for national liberation and the current nation building and protection.

The two nations have developed fruitful cooperation in a variety of fields, particularly the close relationship between their people, Quan said, emphasing that the Vietnamese community has been recognised as part of the Czech Republic.

For his part, Milan Stech highlighted the cooperation potential between the two nations, particularly in trade, electronics, tourism, education, health care, hi-tech, among others.

The Czech Republic has been willing to support and cooperate with Vietnam in multiple fields, he said.

The Senate President expressed his hope that the municipal leader continues facilitating the Czech Republic’s investment in the City.

HCM City heralds Poland’s Independence Day

A ceremony was held in Ho Chi Minh City on November 18 to mark the 97th anniversary of Poland’s Independence Day (November 11, 1918).

The event, organised by the municipal chapter of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam-Poland Friendship Association in HCM City, was attended by officials from State and municipal agencies, representatives from the Polish Embassy in Vietnam alongside many Vietnamese people who used to work and study in Poland.

President of the Vietnam-Poland Friendship Association Nguyen Dang Cuong highlighted the traditional friendship between Vietnamese and Polish people, which has been nurtured over the past more than 60 years.

Vietnamese people have special sentiment towards Poland and always remember the valuable assistance of the Polish Government and people in their struggle for national independence and freedom as well as current construction and defence.

The bilateral relations have been consolidated and furthered over the years, he said, expressing his belief that the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Poland and Vietnam will continue to thrive in the coming time.

Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Barbara Szymanowska said the relationship between Vietnam and Poland has grown closer since they established diplomatic ties in 1950, adding that she hopes the bilateral friendly rapports will develop in a sustainable manner.-