Malaysia, Vietnam sign MoU on bilateral defence cooperation

A high-ranking national defence delegation of Malaysia led by Malaysian Minister of National Defence Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan is on an official visit to Vietnam from December 3-5 following the invitation of Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang.

The visit is designed to maintain high-level contacts, thus further deepening the friendly relationship between the two countries as part of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Malaysia.

During the visit, both sides evaluated the results of defence cooperation between the two countries over the past time and agreed on orientations for future cooperation.

At the talks immediately after a welcome ceremony held the same day for the Malaysian delegation, General Phan Van Giang highlighted the significance of the visit which not only makes practical contributions to the 50th anniversary of both nations’ diplomatic relations. but also adds fresh impetus to further developing their defence ties.

Vietnam and Malaysia are two close neighbors in Southeast Asia, sharing many cultural and historical similarities, and are all active and responsible members of ASEAN who share and support each other in many important international issues.

The two countries are currently actively carrying tou the Action Program on the Strategic Partnership for the 2021 – 2025 period in a variety of fields, including defence links, Giang said.

Also at the talks, the two sides assessed that Vietnam - Malaysia defence cooperation increasingly plays an important role in the strategic partnership between the two countries in accordance with defence cooperation documents signed by their leaders.

Defence cooperation achieved positive and outstanding results in a number of areas such as delegation exchange, cooperation between armies, training, consultation and mutual support at regional security forums, and sending delegations to attend events hosted by each country.

Both sides agreed upon huge potential for stronger defence links in the time ahead and consented to effectively implement signed documents and agreements, especially the MoU on bilateral defence cooperation signed  after their talks.

They concurred to actively consult and offer mututal support at regional and international security forums, especially in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM+ mechanisms.

They outlined orientations for defence cooperation in the coming time, focusing on increasing contacts, exchanging delegations, soon establishing consultation and dialogue mechanisms, and ramping up cooperation in areas of cooperation where both sides have strengths and needs such as training, defence industry, logistics, military medicine, and rescue.

On this occasion, General Phan Van Giang respectfully invited Malaysian Defence Minister Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan and his delegation to attend the second Vietnam International Defence Exhibition set to take place in late 2024 and Malaysian defence industry enterprises were also invited to join the event.

In response, the Malaysian Defence Minister expressed his pleasure to meet Minister Phan Van Giang again since the ADMM and ADMM+ held in Indonesia, emphasizing that this is the first official visit to Vietnam in his capacity as Malaysian Minister of Defence amid both countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

The two countries have enjoyed a long history of relations with common interests and bilateral defence links having seen positive developments on the basis of the 2008 Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defense cooperation, especially since the two countries established a strategic partnership in 2015.

The Malaysian Minister of Defence also showed his elation at the signing of the MoU on bilateral defence cooperation during this visit, thereby creating a framework for taking their defence relations to new heights.

At the talks, the two sides also compared notes on the regional and global situation and issues of mutual concern, while assessing that in the context of complex developments in the world and region, ASEAN-led mechanisms continue to enhance their central role in the region, promoting dialogue and cooperation among countries within the bloc as well as external partners for regional peace, stability and development.

They also underscored the importance of maintaining peace, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and the need to seriously and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and accelerate the early conclusion of negotiations and signing of a substantive, effective Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).