Vietnam, Canada hold first online defence policy dialogue
Hanoi (VNA) –
Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien and his
Canadian counterpart Jody Thomas co-chaired the first Vietnam – Canada online dialogue on defence policy on July 23.
Chien thanked Canada
for assisting Vietnam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic over the past
time. Despite geographical distance, bilateral ties have been growing over the
past nearly five decades.
Vietnam always highly
values Canada’s role and position on regional and global arenas, and wishes to
promote ties with Canada for the benefits of the two countries, and for peace
and common development in the region and the world, he said.
On regional and global
issues, both sides underscored the importance of maritime and aviation freedom,
and upholding law abidance in the East Sea.
They stressed that
disputes need to be settled by peaceful means in line with international law,
including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, considering
it a common responsibility of countries and the international community, for the
sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development of countries in the
region and the world.
Speaking highly of the results of the Vietnam – Canada defence consultation
held on July 7, the two sides affirmed that bilateral defence ties are growing positively in line with the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defence cooperation
signed by the two defence ministers in 2019, matching each nation’s potential
and demand.
Defence cooperation is becoming one of the important contents in Vietnam – Canada comprehensive
partnership and has been promoted via dialogue, consultation, cooperation in training, peacekeeping and maritime security, and joint work at multilateral forums.
Vietnam will continue
supporting Canada in enhancing collaboration with the region in the principle
of ASEAN’s consensus, Chien said.
The deputy ministers also
adopted the 2021-2023 defence cooperation plan, making important contributions
to bolstering bilateral defence ties, towards the 50th anniversary
of Vietnam-Canada diplomatic ties by 2023.
On the occasion, the
Vietnamese side also suggested Canada assist Vietnam in accessing COVID-19
vaccines and medical supplies./.