Minister receives US vice admiral

HA NOI — Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh received Vice Admiral Ann Elizabeth Rondeau, President of the American Defense University yesterday in Ha Noi.

Minister Thanh said he hoped the two sides would gain better understanding of each other and expand co-operation in the coming time through exchange activities and contacts.

He agreed that the two sides would continue to foster education co-operation in the future.

Thanh expressed his thanks for the US's assistance in providing Viet Nam with scholarships for foreign language training as well as in mine clearance, searching for soldiers remains and detoxifying sites contaminated with Agent Orange/dioxin. He also said Viet Nam was willing to receive US naval ships for technical repairs.

Vice Admiral Rondeau said she believed in Viet Nam's prospects and pledged to further promote the effective relations between the two nations.

She hoped that the US and Viet Nam would continue to exchange delegations in the coming time in an aim to strengthen co-operative ties and mutual understanding. — VNS