Vietnam, Austria to boost defence cooperation for peace, development

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Vu Le Thai Hoang has suggested several measures for expanding defence ties in the future during a recent courtesy call to Dr. Arnold Kammel, Secretary General of the Austrian Ministry of Defence.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese diplomat expressed the country’s wish to promote substantive and effective defence cooperation with Austria, in line with the bilateral relations and the cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union (EU).

Hoang emphasised Vietnam's steadfast foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, and multilateralisation and diversification of external relations. Additionally, he reiterated Vietnam's "Four No's" defence policy and its strong commitment to resolving disputes and differences by peaceful means in accordance with international law.

The ambassador thanked the Government and the Ministry of Defence of Austria for their official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam over the years, including the provision of fire trucks and medical equipment for military hospitals. He welcomed Austria’s continued ODA supply in the coming time.

He proposed promoting dialogue and delegation exchanges at all levels, especially the high level, to strengthen mutual understanding and trust, paving the way for concrete cooperation in training, UN peacekeeping, defence industry, cybersecurity, disaster response, and search and rescue.

For his part, Kammel noted the positive impressions of his visit to Vietnam in July 2024, during which he represented the EU at the launch of the Vietnamese version of the handbook on the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). He affirmed that Vietnam is an increasingly important partner of Austria in Southeast Asia.

He agreed to work with the Vietnamese side on concrete plans and priorities to advance practical and effective defence cooperation in the coming time.

Austria has over 60 years of experience in UN peacekeeping operations, a well-developed defence industry, and strong interest in search and rescue, as well as cooperation in addressing non-traditional security challenges, particularly cybersecurity, Kammel noted, stressing that enhanced defence cooperation will help deepen bilateral ties in the lead-up to the 55th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Austria in 2027./.