Vietnam and Thailand boost defense cooperation
VOV.VN - Sen. Lieu. Gen, Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, hosted a welcoming ceremony in Hanoi on September 20 for Gen. Chalermphon Srisawasdi, Chief of Defense Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, who is on a visit to Vietnam.
Cuong, who is also Deputy Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, welcomed the Thai general’s visit which he said would help provide fresh impetus to defense cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand.
During talks held shortly after the welcoming ceremony, the two generals maintained that the two armies have brought into full play cooperation mechanisms, including defense policy dialogues, marine police exchanges, young officer exchanges, military cooperation, training cooperation, while consulting and supporting each other at ASEAN-led multilateral forums.
They agreed to further implement existing cooperation mechanisms, with a primary focus on enhancing visit exchanges to share information and experiences regarding human resource training and maritime security in the waters bordering the two countries.
The two sides will examine the possibility of expanding cooperation in a number of potential fields suitable to the needs and strengths of each side, such as sharing experiences in border management and protection; combating illegal migration; and preventing and combating drugs and transnational crimes.
They will promote cooperation in responding to non-traditional security challenges, such as search and rescue, and anti-terrorism prevention.
The two sides will work closely together for the fifth Vietnam – Thailand defense policy dialogue to be held in Vietnam later this year.
The Vietnamese side affirmed its support for events to be organized by the Thai Ministry of Defense and the Royal Thai Armed Forces in 2024, such as and a conference on international security and defense (ICISD), an ASEAN army chiefs conference and other events.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual concern. They emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, while resolving disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The same day, Gen. Chalermphon Srisawasdi paid a courtesy visit to Gen. Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam.
