Ministry of Defense welcomes Australia sending soldiers to learn Vietnamese

On the morning of August 12, at the Ministry of National Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, held talks with Mr. Hugh Jeffrey, Deputy Secretary General of Australian Defense, about the 8th Vietnam-Australia Defense Policy Dialogue.

At the meeting, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that since the 7th Vietnam-Australia Defense Policy Dialogue (March 2024) up to now, Vietnam-Australia defense cooperation has been actively and effectively implemented in many fields, commensurate with the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, notably in areas such as: delegation exchanges, contacts at all levels, especially high-level; training cooperation, United Nations peacekeeping , military cooperation, information sharing, military medicine, overcoming the consequences of war...

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien welcomed Mr. Hugh Jeffrey at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense.

PHOTO: NT

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence supports the ASEAN- Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Australian Ministry of Defence’s efforts to further strengthen defence cooperation with ASEAN, including the organisation of the first Australia -ASEAN High-Level Defence Dialogue (May 2025).

At the same time, highly appreciate Australia 's positivity and proactiveness in regional multilateral mechanisms, especially the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien affirmed that training cooperation is the foundation of the defense relationship between the two countries. In addition, he hoped that the Australian Ministry of Defense would consider increasing the number of undergraduate and master's scholarships in some majors that Vietnam needs; and welcomed Australia to continue sending soldiers to study Vietnamese at the Academy of Military Science and the international defense officer course at the National Defense Academy.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien at the dialogue

PHOTO: NM

During the dialogue, the two sides also discussed the world and regional situation and issues of mutual concern. Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that Vietnam consistently pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations; is ready to cooperate with countries and international organizations for peace, cooperation and development; and persists in the "four no's" defense policy.

Vietnam advocates resolving all disputes and disagreements in the East Sea by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; complying with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea; promoting the early conclusion of negotiations and signing of a substantive, effective and efficient code of conduct of parties in the East Sea.

During the dialogue, Mr. Hugh Jeffrey affirmed that defense relations are the main pillar in developing relations between the two countries. He wished to learn more about forms and areas that require closer cooperation in the coming time to overcome common challenges together.

Mr. Hugh Jeffrey at the dialogue

PHOTO: NM

The Australian Deputy Secretary General of Defense also agreed with the assessment of the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense on defense cooperation between the two countries in recent times and emphasized the East Sea issue, suggesting that countries need to maintain respect for each country's sovereignty, international law and common rules.

At the end of the dialogue, the two sides signed a three-year cooperation plan for 2025 - 2027.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-quoc-phong-hoan-nghenh-uc-cu-quan-nhan-sang-hoc-tieng-viet-185250812123312325.htm