A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh paid a visit to Australia to strengthen bilateral cooperation in overcoming the consequences of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left from wars. The visit from April 7-12 was made at the invitation of the Department of Defense, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs of Australia. The Vietnamese delegation, including representatives from the National Steering Committee for Recovery over the Impacts of Postwar Bomb and Landmines (also known as the Steering Committee 504), paid a courtesy visit to Australian Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Michael Ronaldson and held talks with a number of senior military officials and diplomats of Australia.
Both sides examined ways to boost bilateral ties and cooperation, especially in humanitarian aid for victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from the war in Vietnam. Australian hosts highly valued the constant efforts by the Vietnamese Government and people in dealing with leftover UXO and pledged further support for Vietnam in this work. (Vov.vn April 11, Vietnamplus.vn April 10)