Hanoi (VNA) - Defence cooperation cont▨inues to be a bright spot in the Vietnam-Canada relations, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Th✤u Hang said at a meeting with Canadian Deputy Minister of National Defence Stefanie Beck in Hanoi on February 20.
The two sides reviewed recent progress in bilateral relations and expressed their satisfaction with the strong momentum across various sectors.
They noted that leaders from both nations have maintained regular meetings at major international forums. Bilateral trade reached 7.25 billion USD in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels of 7 billion USD. Education and people-to-people exchanges have also flourished, with more than 20,000 Vietnamese students studying in Canada and a Vietnamese community of 300,000 living and working in the country, they noted.
Hang thanked Canada for its continued support to Vietnam in participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, military medicine training, engineering, and language education.
In order to further foster bilateral ties in a more stable and practical manner, Hang suggested that the two sides increase delegation exchanges, especially at the high level which will provide valuable opportunities for leaders to discuss concrete steps to deepen cooperation.
She urged both sides to maintain regular dialogue mechanisms, including Deputy-Ministerial Political Consultations, Defence Policy Consultations, and the Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation.
For her part, Beck, who is on a visit to Vietnam for the third Vietnam-Canada Vice-Ministerial Defence Policy Dialogue, said that Canada highly values Vietnam's strategic importance in the region, and pays great attention to Vietnam in its Indo-Pacific Strategy.
She agreed on the importance of high-level exchanges, and affirmed that her country will work closely with Vietnam in bolstering bilateral ties.
Beck pledged Canada’s continued support in strengthening Vietnam’s role in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
The two officials also discussed regional and international issues of shared concern, including the East Sea issue, and committed to reinforcing cooperation at regional and international forums such as the United Nations, APEC, ASEAN, and the Francophonie./.
Regarding the East Sea issue, Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien emphasised the need to respect international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and accelerate negotiations to finalise an effective and practical Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang on February 20 received Canadian Deputy Minister of National Defence Stefanie Beck who is in Hanoi to co-chair the third Vietnam-Canada Defence Policy Dialogue.
Vietnam is deepening collaboration with Cuba and Canada in training and capacity building, particularly in public administration and governance, following meetings in Hanoi on February 17 between Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) President Nguyen Xuan Thang and the Ambassadors of Cuba and Canada to Vietnam.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
