Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lieut. Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh met with top officials of Japan’s Defence Ministry while visiting the country on February 17-19 to attend the fifth Japan – ASEAN Defence Cooperation Forum in Okinawa city.

During a courtesy call to Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera on February 17, Vinh said he is highly confident in the growing bilateral, mutually beneficial ties between their nations.

Onodera said he hopes the defence partnership will continue to grow. He also spoke highly of the Vietnam People’s Army’s role in regional cooperation, especially with Vietnam actively preparing to join the UN peacekeeping mission.

Meeting with Japanese Vice Defence Minister Masanori Nishi, Vinh said it is the fourth time he has attended the forum,in which period he has seen Japan – ASEAN defence links become more extensive.

With its rich experience, Japan will actively provide the bloc with resources in efforts to cope with emerging non-traditional security issues, he noted.

Both deputy ministers stated that it is necessary to share experience in training medical personnel for UN peacekeeping mission, marine police, and armed forces responsible for natural disaster response.-VNA