VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam will host the first ASEAN Chiefs of Military Medicine Conference in Ha Noi from May 26-29.

"Initiated by Viet Nam, the conference aims to widen national defence and Viet Nam's army links within ASEAN, as well as increase the role and prestige of the Vietnamese People's Army in the region and the world," said Col Vu Quoc Binh, director general of the Military Medicine Department, at a press conference yesterday, May 12.

"[The medicine conference] is expected to promote practical co-operation among ASEAN military forces in dealing with regional security challenges and contribute to the successful establishment of the ASEAN Political and Security Community by 2015," Binh said.

At the event, participants will discuss two documents – initiatives of Viet Nam – which include exchange visits by young military physicians and Orientation for ASEAN military medicine co-operation.

Discussions will also focus on defining priority areas and future co-operation, such as with joint participation in research projects and military exercises during natural disasters.

The event will be chaired by Viet Nam's Ministry of Defence.

Attending will be 10 ASEAN chiefs of military medicine and nine military attaches.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News