Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh held talks with Australian Defence Minister Kevin Andrews on March 18 in Canberra aiming to promote cooperation in maritime security between the two nations.

The Vietnamese officer is accompanying Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on his working visit to Australia.

During the meeting, both Vinh and Andrews highlighted the beneficial results of cooperation between the two countries’ defence ministries in information and experience exchange in counterterrorism, training, and joining the United Nations (UN) peace-keeping activities.

The two sides agreed to continue cooperating in these fields, especially forging links in maritime security, to contribute to peace, stability, and navigation freedom in the East Sea and in the region. Defence Minister Andrews confirmed that his country will be one of the leading partners assisting Vietnam in participating in UN peace-keeping activities.

Earlier the same day, Deputy Minister Vinh and Australian Department of Defence’s Major General John Frewen signed an agreement to speed up implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in peacekeeping between the two ministries.-VNA