Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang hosts a reception in Hanoi on November 22 for Philippine Undersecretary of National Defence Irineo Cruz Espino. (Photo: VNA) Giang affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importanceto consolidating and strengthening its strategic partnership with thePhilippines, and is determined to work with the country to bring the bilateralrelationship to a new level, for peace, stability and prosperous development inthe region and the world.
Emphasising the enhanced defence cooperation, theminister suggested the two sides work harder to make it more practical andeffective, contributing to deepening the Vietnam-Philippines strategicpartnership.
Giang used the occasion to invite leaders of thePhilippine Department of National Defence (DND), armed forces and businesses toattend the Vietnam International Defence Expo next year.
For his part, Espino stressed that the DND will fullyimplement contents in the agreement inked by the two ministries as well ascommon perceptions reached by high-ranking leaders of the two countries, andexpressed his hope to welcome the Vietnamese minister in the Philippines in thetime ahead.
Earlier the same day, the Philippine officer and DeputyMinister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien co-chaired the fifthdefence policy dialogue in Hanoi, during which they reviewed cooperationoutcomes since the previous meeting in 2019, exchanged views on issues ofmutual concern at the strategic level, and agreed on defence cooperationorientations.
At the fifth defence policy dialogue. (Photo: VNA) They spoke highly of ASEAN-led mechanisms, and pledgedto make efforts to contribute to consolidating and enhancing the grouping’ssolidarity and centrality in the regional security architecture.
The officers highlighted the importance of ensuringfreedom, security, and safety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, andthe need to promote commitments and the implementation of the Declaration onthe Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon conclude negotiationsand sign a substantive, effective Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea(COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
They concurred to foster the bilateral defencecooperation, making it more practical and effective, with a focus on delegationexchange; carry forward existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly consultationmechanisms and the defence policy dialogue; step up collaboration in training;pay more attention to cooperation in logistics; and enhance cooperation in suchareas as military medicine, search and rescue operations, and defence industry.
The two sides will also maintain their consultationand mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms, especially those led byASEAN./.
VNA
