The two sidesreached the consensus during talks between Minister of National DefenceGeneral Phung Quang Thanh and his US counterpart, Robert Gates, inHanoi on October 11.
At a joint press briefingfollowing the talks, General Thanh stressed that Vietnam wouldcontinue to support the US in searching for and repatriating theremains of US MIAs through considering an additional six joint searchlocations.
For his part, the US Secretary ofDefence agreed to actively provide information and assistance forVietnam 's search for fallen soldiers, and participate in bomb and mineclearance and dioxin treatment at the Bien Hoa, Da Nang and Phu Catairports.
Showing his optimism about reachingpreliminary agreements, Robert Gates spoke highly of the role ofVietnam and the Vietnamese Defence Ministry in organising the ASEANDefence Ministerial Meeting Plus (ADMM+), which aims to maintain astable and peaceful region for the benefits of all parties.
The US defence secretary, together with defence ministers andsenior officials from ASEAN member countries and seven other dialoguepartners, including China , Japan , the Republic of Korea , NewZealand , Australia , Russia and India , will attend the first ADMM+initiated by Vietnam on October 12./.