Vietnam-Chile relations develop well; Defence Minister receives war veterans from Russia and Ukraine; Central African Republic President to visit Vietnam

Chilean President Michel Bachelet on May 15 received State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan who is in Chile for the 19th Global Summit of Women.

The president recalled her visits to Vietnam in 1977 and 2006 and said she admires the Vietnamese people for their courage and steadfastness during the past struggle for national liberation as well as their industriousness and creativity during the current process of national construction and development.

She expressed her pleasure at the positive development of the friendly relationship between the two countries in all areas, especially breakthroughs made in bilateral negotiations of a free trade agreement (FTA), and hoped that both countries would reach the deal at an earliest possible time.

She also showed her interest in Vietnam’s measures to cushion the far-reaching impact of the current global economic crunch.

The president said she is looking forward to receiving State President Nguyen Minh Triet and other Vietnamese leaders in Chile in the coming time.

For her part, Vice President Doan thanked president Bachelet, the Chilean government and people for their solidarity and whole-hearted support for Vietnam in the recent past. She briefed her host on Vietnam’s situation and affirmed the country’s determination to promote the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Chile.

Defence Minister receives war veterans from Russia and Ukraine

Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh on May 16 received a delegation of war veterans from Russia and Ukraine who had worked and fought in Vietnam during the resistance war against US imperialists.

General Thanh welcomed the visit by the delegation, emphasizing that in the struggle for national independence and freedom, the Vietnamese people and its People’s Army received enthusiastic support from international friends. In particular, he said Russia and Ukraine sent thousands of experts and military advisers to assist Vietnam, contributing to the Vietnamese people’s victory during the resistance war against US aggression.

Minister Thanh expressed his belief that the visit will yield good results, helping to promote mutual understanding and the traditional ties of cooperation and friendship among armies of the three countries.

For his part, colonel Boris Bazarov expressed his hope that the traditional friendship between the three countries will continue to develop in future.

Central African Republic President to visit Vietnam

The President of the Central African Republic, Francois Bozie Yangouvonda, will pay a five-day official visit to Vietnam, starting on May 18.

The visit is made at the invitation of State President Nguyen Minh Triet, said a Foreign Ministry communiqué on May 15.