Vietnam, US hold 12th Political, Security and Defence Dialogue

Those in attendance at the event included Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, along with representatives of both nations' ministries, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and a number of other government agencies.

The two sides showed elation at the continued development of Vietnam-US relations in a deep and substantive manner on all three levels, including bilaterally, regionally, and internationally, in the principles of respecting independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and each other's political institutions.

Deputy Minister Ngoc affirmed that the Vietnamese side always considers the US as one of its most important partners, while Lewis reaffirmed that the US consistently backs a strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam.

Both sides underscored the importance of bilateral meetings, as well as consultation and delegation exchange activities for the process of building trust, mutual understanding, and stepping up co-operation and intertwined interests between both sides.

They affirmed that they will continue to hold frank, constructive, and regular dialogues on issues of difference.

The two sides recognised the progress of bilateral links in the fields of defence and security, law enforcement, and war aftermath settlements.

They therefore agreed to continue enhancing the development of defence links between Vietnam and the US at a stable pace, in line with the interests, conditions, and policies of each country. These efforts will be towards expanding co-operation in cyber security, transnational crime fight, and UN peacekeeping operations.

Both countries also shared their determination to maintain ties in demining mines and explosives, increasing dioxin decontamination, supporting people affected by the war in Vietnam, and searching for soldiers missing from both sides.

US representatives reaffirmed their commitment to continue assisting the Vietnamese side in improving its maritime, law enforcement, and forensic capabilities through training and equipment transfer.

They used the occasion to compare notes on a number of international and regional issues of mutual concern, and shared the importance of ensuring the rule of law, freedom, and safety of navigation and aviation. This is in addition to underlining the need to reach peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, without the threat or use of force.

The US side affirmed its support for ASEAN's consensus and central role in the regional security architecture. The two sides underscored the necessity of implementing creative and substantive measures aimed at promoting the Mekong-US Partnership in the coming time.

On the sidelines of this year's Dialogue, Deputy Minister Ngoc and members of his delegation held a host of meetings with leaders of the US Department of State, Department of Defence, and National Security Council, and some parliamentarians and advisers of the Congress, and US business representatives.

The meetings contributed to the realisation of the results of the phone conversation between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden held on March 29 which seeks to promote the bilateral agenda in the 10th anniversary year of Vietnam - US Comprehensive Partnership (2013-2023).