Vietnam, US enhance defence ties
After an official welcome ceremony on July 29, the two ministers held talks.
They agreed to continue promoting collaboration following the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Defence Cooperation signed in 2011 and the Joint Vision Statement on Defence Relations signed in 2015, with priority given to the settlement of war consequences, the improvement of law enforcement at sea, military medicine collaboration in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and training.
Within the framework of his Vietnam visit, the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin paid a courtesy visit to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
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Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang held a welcome ceremony for and held talks with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA
Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin inspect the guard of honour of the Vietnam People's Army at the welcome ceremony in Hanoi. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA
Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang held talks with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosts a reception for US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosts a reception for US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in Hanoi on July 29. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
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At the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, especially traditional and non-traditional security challenges that directly affect the region. They affirmed ASEAN’s central role in enhancing cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) in order to maintain an environment of peace and stability in the region and the world.
They shared views on the importance of respecting the legitimate rights and interests of coastal states, peacefully solving disputes as well as maintaining peace stability, safety, order and freedom of aviation and navigation at seas and oceans in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
The two ministers then witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in searching, gathering and identifying the remains of Vietnamese martyrs.
At the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, especially traditional and non-traditional security challenges that directly affect the region. They affirmed ASEAN’s central role in enhancing cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) in order to maintain an environment of peace and stability in the region and the world.
They shared views on the importance of respecting the legitimate rights and interests of coastal states, peacefully solving disputes as well as maintaining peace stability, safety, order and freedom of aviation and navigation at seas and oceans in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
The two ministers then witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in searching, gathering and identifying the remains of Vietnamese martyrs.
The visit will contribute to strengthening friendship and trust between the people and armies of the two countries, and implementing defence cooperation contents signed between the two defence ministries and agreements reached by the two nations’ high-ranking leaders, thus contributing to the framework of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership.
Vietnam, UK beef up cooperation in security
Vietnam’s Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang chaired a welcome ceremony for and held talks with UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace in Hanoi on July 22.
During the talks, the two sides exchanged views on the world and regional situations and issues of mutual concern. The British side shared Vietnam’s views on solving the East Sea issue, affirming the importance of navigation and aviation freedom, supporting the rule of law, and emphasising that disputes need to be settled by peaceful means, based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
They agreed that over the past time, the bilateral cooperation has been lifted to a new height, with many achievements in the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture and education.
Vietnam’s Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang chaired a welcome ceremony for and held talks with UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace in Hanoi on July 22. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA
Vietnam’s Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang and UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA
Talks between Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang and UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA
The UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for UK Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace on July 22 in Hanoi. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
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Regarding defence cooperation, despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have basically completed the agreed cooperation contents such as maintaining the policy dialogue mechanism, stepping up delegation exchanges, training English language for Vietnamese officers, and sharing experience in UN peacekeeping missions, thus contributing to the two countries’ strategic partnership.
Within the framework of his Vietnam visit from July 21-23, the UK Secretary of State for Defence paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, visited the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Vietnam National Border Committee, and had a meeting with several officers who participated in UN peacekeeping missions. |
They consented to continuing to promote defence ties with a focus on the exchange of delegations, the implementation of the existing cooperation mechanisms such as the Defence Policy Dialogue at the deputy ministerial level and the bilateral working group on defense cooperation, English language training for Vietnamese officers, the participation in UN peacekeeping missions, defence industry and cooperation on multilateral forums.
Vietnam supports the UK’s participation in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+) on the basis of ASEAN consensus, and backs the UK in promoting collaboration with ASEAN, including in military defence.
Minister General Phan Van Giang expressed his pleasure to welcome and hold talks with Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace in Hanoi amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world as well as in two countries.
The move affirms the goodwill, efforts and determination of the two countries in promoting cooperation in general and defence cooperation in particular, he stated.
He took the occasion to thank the British Government for sharing experience in COVID-19 prevention and control, and putting Vietnam on the priority list of vaccines. He also suggested Wallace, within his authority, help the Vietnamese Defence Ministry in gaining access to COVID-19 vaccines.
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The UK Secretary of State for Defence paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA
The UK Secretary of State for Defence and delegates at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA
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