Vietnam, UK seek to forger stronger defence links

Vietnam’s Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang hosted a welcome ceremony for UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace in Hanoi on July 22.

After the welcome ceremony, the two defence officials held talks, during which they discussed the global and regional situations, along with issues of shared concern. The British side shared the Vietnamese view on dealing with the East Sea issue whilst affirming the importance of navigation and aviation freedom, while also pledging to support the rule of law,

They both stressed the need settle disputes through peaceful means based on international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The pair also agreed the bilateral co-operation has been taken to new heights in recent times, with many achievements recorded in the fields of politics, economics, trade, culture, and education.

With regard to defence co-operation, despite the negative impact caused by the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have finalised the agreed co-operation contents. This includes maintaining the policy dialogue mechanism, enhancing delegation exchanges, offering English language training courses for Vietnamese officers, and sharing experience in UN peacekeeping missions, thereby contributing to improving the two countries’ strategic partnership.

Both sides therefore concurred to continue ramping up defence ties with a primary focus on delegation exchanges, the implementation of existing co-operation mechanisms such as the Defence Policy Dialogue at a deputy ministerial level and the bilateral working groups on defense co-operation. This is in addition to collaboration in UN peacekeeping missions, the defence industry, and co-operation in multilateral forums.

The nation also supports the UK’s participation in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+) on the basis of ASEAN consensus, whilst backing the UK bolster its collaboration with ASEAN, including in military defence, Minister Giang told his guest.

He went on to express his elation at welcoming and hold talks with Secretary Wallace in Hanoi amid the ongoing complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The move affirms the goodwill, positive efforts, and determination of the two countries in promoting co-operation in general, whilst also boosting defence co-operation, he stated.

He used the occasion to thank the British Government for sharing their experience in COVID-19 prevention and control, whilst also putting Vietnam on the priority list of vaccines. He also suggested that Secretary Wallace, within his authority, help the Vietnamese Defence Ministry to gain greater access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Within the framework of his visit from July 21 to July 23, the UK Secretary of State for Defence is scheduled to pay a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with visiting the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Vietnam National Border Committee. Finally, he will have a meeting with several officers who are engaged in UN peacekeeping missions.