Expressing admiration for Vietnam’s heroic history as well as the country’s current reform course, he said that Vietnam and Mexico share many similarities as both nations experienced struggles for independence and have strong love for peace and justice.

This is a firm foundation for both sides to further foster their sound partnership, he said.

General Zepeda lauded the outcomes of the Vietnam visit of the Military Doctrine Department of the Mexican Secretariat of National Defence led by its Director David Rivera Medina, which opened up new cooperation prospects between the two defence ministries in the future, including the exchange of military experience through visits, the opening of military attaché office and the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation.

On the occasion, the Mexican defence chief also asked Ambassador Duong to send his invitation to visit Mexico to Vietnamese Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich.

For his part, Ambassador Duong affirmed that Vietnam treasures the support the Mexican government and people have given to Vietnam both in the past and present, as well as the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries currently.

He noted that the friendship and affiliation between the two countries are gathering momentum, especially after the meeting of President Tran Dai Quang and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Da Nang city in November 2017 within the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, and the two countries’ participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The diplomat also pledged to work to strengthen and expand Vietnam-Mexico ties.

General Zepeda vowed to support the Vietnamese Embassy in reinforcing the partnership between the two countries as well as defence ministries.

Earlier on May 7, Ambassador Duong presented his credentials to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.-VNA