Vietnam, Poland vow to boost defense ties

HANOI - Poland and Vietnam have a desire to boost cooperation in all fields, especially in defense ties, said the visiting Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak on Thursday in Vietnam's capital Hanoi.

"Cooperation between Poland and Vietnam in defense sector in the past few years has witnessed significant growth, proven by the visit of Vietnamese Defense Minister to Poland in 2013 and the placement of Vietnam's Defense Attach Office in capital Warsaw," said Siemoniak while meeting with Vietnamese Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh.

The Polish official expressed his hope that "on the occasion of the visit, the two sides will reach a consensus on next steps to strengthen the relations."

Phung Quang Thanh said he "believes after the visit, cooperation between Vietnam and Poland in general and defense ties in particular will enjoy further developments."

The Polish minister is on a three-day official visit to Vietnam starting from Wednesday.

During the tour, Siemoniak will visit Naval Command of Vietnam and Hong Ha Shipbuilding company under Vietnam's General Department of Defense Industry in northern Hai Phong city, some 90 km east of capital Hanoi, said a press release by Vietnam's Ministry of Defense.