Vietnam and France have agreed to enhance defence cooperation,particularly in delegation exchanges, training, defence industry, andmaritime security.

The two sides reached the consensus duringthe fourth session of the Vietnam-France Joint Committee on NationalDefence Cooperation in Paris on November 27.

DeputyDefence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh co-chairedthe meeting with French Army Deputy Chief of Staff Senior LieutenantGeneral Gratien Maire.

Vinh said the recent upgradingof the Vietnam-France relationship to a strategic partnershipdemonstrates the two nations’ closer ties and lays firm foundations forfuture multifaceted cooperation, especially in the field of nationaldefence.

Vietnam always regards France as animportant partner and supports its endeavours to expand relations in theAsian Pacific region, he said.

He stressed that thetwo sides need to work hard to develop defence cooperation in aneffective, practical and sustainable manner, making it one of thepillars of the bilateral strategic partnership, for the interests of thetwo peoples as well as for the sake of a peaceful and stableenvironment for common development.

General Maireaffirmed his nation’s willingness to back Vietnam ’s efforts todefend its sovereignty and fulfil Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

France recognises Vietnam ’s regional importanceand backs the country’s commitments to promoting peace and stability inthe region and the world, he said.

The French side alsopledged to continue supporting Vietnam ’s International HydrographicOrganisation (IHO) membership bid, share its UN peacekeeping deploymentexperience, and will help the country in clearance of unexplodedordnance.

The two sides consented to tightening coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums.

During their November 26-28 stay in France , the Vietnamesedelegation toured a number of French Defence Ministry agencies and metwith representatives from the French army.-VNA