DR NG S FIRST VISIT TO VIETNAM AS DEFENCE MINISTER

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen met Vietnamese Minister for Defence General (GEN) Phung Quang Thanh at the Ministry of National Defence on 23 Aug.

At the bilateral meeting, both ministers exchanged views on regional security issues and discussed areas of bilateral defence cooperation.

This was part of Dr Ng's three-day introductory visit to Vietnam as defence minister since taking over the portfolio in May.

Dr Ng also called on Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang later in the day.

Apart from official meetings, Dr Ng visited the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) Commando Officers' School, where he was briefed on the VPA Commandos' capabilities and witnessed a live demonstration of the Commandos overcoming enemy threats such as mines and explosives, as well as capturing enemy forces in a building.

He visited the National Defence Academy (NDA) on 22 Aug, where he was briefed on the training programmes conducted at the institute.

Dr Ng's visit underscores the warm and growing defence ties between Singapore and Vietnam, following the signing of a Defence Cooperation Agreement in September 2009.

The defence establishments and armed forces of both countries interact regularly through policy dialogues, visits, professional exchanges and cross-attendance of courses.