A high level military delegation led by Vietnam’s Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh on a working visit to France received a cordial reception in Paris from their counterparts.

“The visit will contribute to strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries in general and the cooperative relationship on defence in particular,” said French Minister of Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian at the welcoming reception.

The French Defence Minister said he highly appreciated the social-economic accomplishments of Vietnam and applauded the increasingly important role the nation is playing in the international arena.

Most notably, the French Defence Minister underscored France’s desire to promote cooperation on multiple fronts with Vietnam in particular and the ASEAN Economic Community in general.

The two ministers agreed that since their last meeting defence cooperation has made ​​positive progress in line with the previously signed framework agreement on military cooperation.

The two sides have maintained high level exchange of delegations related to defence experience, medical, training, marine surveying and maintenance activities as well as actively engaged in peace keeping by the United Nations.