UK and Vietnam discuss defence cooperation

January 25, 2013 | 16:31

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UK Defence Under Secretary of State Lord Astor of Hever will visit Vietnam from January 26 - 30.

The Minister will be in Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnam’s Vice Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh and this visit coincides with the 40th Anniversary year of bilateral relations between the UK and Vietnam.

Speaking prior to his departure for Vietnam Lord Astor said: “I am delighted to be visiting Vietnam following our signature of the Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation between our two countries and in the context of our Strategic Partnership.

Vietnam is an increasingly important actor on the international stage and the UK welcomes the closer ties that we are developing with this region of the world.”

During his visit Lord Astor will open a defence industry forum arranged by UK Trade and Investment’s Defence and Security Organisation.

He will also visit a number of Vietnamese military regions and training establishments. Lord Astor will also visit the British Council in Hanoi where he will open the second phase of an intensive programme of English language training to support peacekeeping for the Institute of Defence and International Relations.

By Bich Ngoc

vir.com.vn

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