Vietnam sends peacekeeping officers to join European Union mission

Ceremony to present the President's decision to officers going to the United Nations peacekeeping mission. Photo: TTO

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien - Member of the Party Central Committee, Member of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Minister of National Defense, Head of the Inter-sectoral Working Group, Head of the Ministry of National Defense's Steering Committee on participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, chaired the Conference. Also attending were Major General Hoang Kim Phung - Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department and representatives of several agencies and units of the Ministry of National Defense.

Among the 7 officers receiving the President's Decision on this occasion, 2 individuals will carry out duties at the mission in South Sudan, including: Lieutenant Colonel Bui Thi Minh Nguyet - Assistant of the Department of Area Affairs, Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, was assigned to perform the duty of Operations Staff Officer to replace Major Vu The Anh and Major Pham Dang Binh - Assistant of the Department of Area Affairs, Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, was assigned to perform the duty of Military Observer Officer to replace Lieutenant Colonel Pham Tan Phong.

Two officers performing duties at the Central African Republic Mission include: Major Nguyen Thuy Duong - Assistant of the Training Center, Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, was assigned to perform the duty of Training Staff Officer to replace Captain Do Huyen Trang and Captain Tran Thi Hue - Assistant of the Political Department, Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, was assigned to perform the duty of Communications Officer to replace Captain Vu Nhat Huong.

The officer who received the decision to carry out the mission at the UNISFA Mission was Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Tri Tuan - Assistant of the Logistics and Technical Department, Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, who was assigned to work as a Light Engineering Staff Officer.

In addition, two officers performing duties at the European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic include: Lieutenant Colonel Vu Thi Lien - Assistant of the Training Department, Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, was assigned to work as an Advisor to the school training agency (new position) and Captain Le Nhu Tien - Assistant of the Training Center, Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, was assigned to work as an Advisor/Training Officer at the squad level (new position).

In addition, two officers have completed their terms and successfully completed their tasks, including: Lieutenant Colonel Vu Thi Kim Oanh, Military Observer at the South Sudan Mission (duty from September 2021 to September 2022) and Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duy Quang, Officer coordinating defense cooperation activities between the United Nations and the Mission in the Central African Republic (duty from September 2020 to September 2022).

Speaking on behalf of the officers at the decision-giving ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Vu Thi Lien thanked the President and the head of the Ministry of National Defense for creating favorable conditions and entrusting the officers with the task of carrying out peacekeeping missions. Notably, this is the first time Vietnam has sent two officers to carry out missions at the European Union Training Mission.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Thi Lien affirmed that the officers are all deeply aware that this is an honor for themselves and their families, and at the same time a great responsibility, requiring each individual to constantly study, strive, and improve themselves so as not to disappoint the expectations that the Party, State, and people trust and entrust.

On behalf of the officers, Lieutenant Colonel Lien affirmed that he will strictly abide by the discipline of the Vietnam People's Army and the regulations of the Mission, always be aware of spreading the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the international environment; unite, love, and help each other to successfully complete the tasks.

On behalf of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien congratulated the officers who had completed their missions and the newly assigned officers who were preparing to depart. In particular, Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Chien highly appreciated the efforts of the two officers who were preparing to carry out their missions at the European Union Training Mission, who had made efforts to go through the rigorous selection rounds.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien requested officers to continue to thoroughly grasp and seriously implement the foreign policies and viewpoints of the Party, State and Army; promote the tradition of Vietnam's UN peacekeeping force and the noble qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers while performing their duties; and perform well the assigned duties and tasks.

At the same time, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien reminded officers to maintain internal solidarity, build solidarity with international colleagues and relationships with local people, thereby contributing to promoting Vietnam's UN peacekeeping activities to become more professional and effective.