Vietnam increases defence cooperation with Singapore, US, Canada

VOV.VN - Defence Minister Phan Van Giang had bilateral meetings on June 10 with his counterparts of Singapore, the United States and Canada on the sidelines of the 19th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue.

Meeting with Minister Ng Eng Hen, Minister Giang congratulated Singapore’s Ministry of National Defense on collaborating with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) to physically host the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue after two years of being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two sides shared the view that despite the complicated and unpredictable developments in the region and the world, the Vietnam-Singapore Extensive Strategic Partnership has constantly developed effectively in various fields, including defence cooperation, with a high level of political trust.

They agreed to effectively implement defence cooperation documents in line with the potential and needs of each side.

The two ministers examined preparations for the upcoming ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) to be held in Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and exchanged views on a number of world and regional issues of mutual concern.

At the meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the two sides reviewed the results of bilateral cooperation in overcoming war aftermath, holding dialogues & consultations, exchanging delegations, and maintaining maritime security, as well as in training, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and United Nations peacekeeping.

They agreed to enhance future cooperation with priority to be given to overcoming war consequences, including speeding up a dioxin remediation project at Bien Hoa Airbase Area as well as mobilizing resources to treat dioxin contamination there.

Effective cooperation in this area will help strengthen trust and create motivation for opening up other areas of cooperation, said Minister Phan Van Giang.

Meeting with Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand, Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the Comprehensive Partnership with Canada, of which defense cooperation is a pillar.

The two ministers held that the Vietnam – Canada defense relations are developing positively in line with the Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Defense Cooperation signed in 2019 and the 2021-2023 defense cooperation plan.

They agreed that the two sides would continue to prioritize high-level contacts and strengthen cooperation in areas such as consultations and dialogues, personnel training, and UN peacekeeping.

Also on June 10 Minister Phan Van Giang attended an informal meeting between the US Secretary of Defense and the heads of delegations of ASEAN countries. The ministers examined measures to promote the ASEAN-US defense cooperation, while exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual concern.

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