Vietnam, Italy hold 4th Defence Policy Dialogue

During the course of the Dialogue, the two defence officials evaluated the implementation of co-operation areas within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence ties in 2013 and the results of collaboration since the third Defence Policy Dialogue held in Hanoi back in 2019.

The two sides stated that there is ample room ahead to build stronger defence links together, while agreeing on orientations aimed at strengthening co-operation in the various fields of their need and strengths, with a major focus on delegation exchange taking place at all levels, training and capacity building for staff - officers, defence industry co-operation, and technology transfer of production of dual-use products.

This is along with promoting the exchange of experience in deploying UN peacekeeping forces, dealing with the consequences of previous wars in Vietnam, and boosting ties in cybersecurity for the sake of peace, co-operation and development, as well as for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.

For his part, the Italian Undersecretary of State for Defence acknowledged Vietnamese initiatives and underlined the Italian side’s readiness to support the Vietnam People's Army in improving their capacity, whilst also stepping up practical and effective bilateral defence ties through the Defense Policy Dialogue at a deputy defence ministerial level.

The two sides also compared notes relating to international and regional issues of shared concern, while emphasising maintaining peace, stability, and security, including maritime security, along with advocating dispute settlement by peaceful means in compliance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

This comes after Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and his delegation paid a courtesy visit to Guido Crosetto - Defence Minister of the Republic of Italy.

At the meeting, the two sides consented to assign the two defence ministries’ relevant agencies to study, supplement, and revise the legal basis for bilateral defence co-operation, including ties in UN peacekeeping activities, the settlement of war consequences, and cybersecurity.

On the same day, the Vietnamese delegation held a meeting with Admiral Luciano Portolano, general secretary of Defence and director of the National Equipment Agency, as well as representatives of some Italian agencies, and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy.

This year both sides celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations which were launched in 1973 and 10 years of a strategic partnership which started in 2013.

Over the past five decades, the friendly mutual co-operative ties which exist have always been promoted by Party, State, and Government leaders of both countries in multiple fields, such as politics, diplomacy, economics, social affairs, trade - investment, defence - security, culture – tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

The fourth Vietnam-Italy Defence Policy Dialogue and a courtesy visit to Ho Chi Minh City by Navy ship Morosini in May are two important events contributing to the promotion of bilateral defence links in line with the friendly co-operation and strategic partnership between the two countries, thereby marking a new step of development in the defence co-operation after the COVID-19 pandemic.