Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Lt. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong addresses the opening ceremony of the 74th CISM General Assembly and Congress in HCM City on April 24

At the opening ceremony, CISM President, Colonel Herve Piccirillo appreciated Vietnam’s thorough preparations for the event, noting that the country has proved itself as an active and responsible member of the council since its joining in 1998.

He said the record number of participants in the event shows that HCM City and the Vietnamese army are doing a good job of sharing the values that military sports wish to bring to all people, which are friendship, solidarity, peace and humanity.

Welcoming the delegates, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Lt. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong said the 74th CISM General Assembly and Congress will review the council’s activities last year and discuss orientations for its activities in the time ahead.

This is also an occasion for the Vietnam People’s Army and other countries’ armed forces to share experience in sports, thus helping to strengthen their solidarity and friendship, he added.

The CISM was founded in 1948 and currently has 138 member countries. Each year, it organises more than 100 sporting tournaments hosted by its members.

The council aims to promote sporting activities and physical education in armed forces, while fostering friendship and solidarity through providing technical assistance for its members.

Army official: Vietnam values ties with int’l military sports council

Vice Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Nguyen Tan Cuong (R) and CISM President Herve Piccirillo

Vice Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Nguyen Tan Cuong on April 24 stated that Vietnam attaches importance to boosting ties with the International Military Sports Council (CISM).

He made the statement during a reception in Ho Chi Minh City for Col. Herve Piccirillo, President of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), who is in Vietnam for the 74th CISM General Assembly in the city.

Cuong spoke highly of the CISM’s role in bolstering friendship among countries’ armies via sports and affirmed that as an active and responsible member of the CISM, the Vietnamese army is ready to join sport activities held by the CISM, initially sending a delegation to the upcoming Summer Games in China.

Vietnam consistently follows the external policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralisation of ties, active and proactive global integration, he said, adding that Vietnam wants to present itself as a country of peace and friendship to the CISM and its members via the event, as well as introduce its history, culture and people to international friends.

The host pledged that the Vietnamese Defence Ministry will offer all possible support to the event to make it a success.

Piccirillo, for his part, expressed thanks to Vietnam’s thorough preparations for the CISM’s important event. He said he was impressed by the Vietnamese country and people during his first visit two decades ago.

The official said since Vietnam joined the CISM, its army has taken an active part in sport activities held by the council, proving its rising stature in the region and the world.

According to him, it will be the first time a CISM meeting draws 91 countries and three observers, a record number.

The guest believed that with thorough preparations, the 74th CISM General Assembly will be a success, contributing to fostering friendship and solidarity among member states via sports.

VNA