US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter currently is on his official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese defence minister Phung Quang Thanh.

The US Secretary of Defence visited Vietnam Naval High Command and High Command of Region 1 under the Vietnam Coast Guard in the northern city of Hai Phong on May 31.

Deputy Defence Minister Admiral Nguyen Van Hien had a meeting with the US defence delegation. The two sides said the bilateral defence cooperation has been based on respect for Vietnam’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The cooperation has also not affected Vietnam’s relationships with other countries, added participants.

While receiving US guests, Major General Nguyen Quang Dam, Vietnam Coast Guard’s commander affirmed Vietnam’s Coast Guard’s willingness to maintain maritime safety and security enhancement in accordance with international law.

On June 1st, Vietnamese Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh will hold talks with the US counterpart Ashton Carter and will sign the joint vision statement.-VNA