Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh has affirmed that Vietnam wishes to further strengthen friendship and cooperation with countries, including defence ties.

It was made at his bilateral meetings on June 1 with the Ministers of Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia; the Deputy Defence Ministers of Singapore, Brunei, Russia and the Republic of Korea, the US Pacific Commander and the Vice Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army on the fringes of the 12 th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Deputy Defence Minister Vinh praised international support to Vietnam ’s stance on building a peaceful and stable environment in the region in line with international law. He also thanked countries for assisting Vietnamese army in various fields.

During the meetings, the two sides reviewed bilateral army relations and exchanged views on regional security situation.

They mulled ways to further reinforce bilateral defence ties on the basis of traditional friendship, and foster development cooperation to seek common voices on major regional and global issues of mutual concern like peace, maritime security and anti-terrorism.-VNA