Vietnam and the US have agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in addressing the consequences of war, and engage in joint training of military officers as well as in marine security, army medicine and disaster rescue.

The two sides reached the consensus during talks between Minister of National Defence General Phung Quang Thanh and his US counterpart, Robert Gates, in Hanoi on October 11.

At a joint press briefing following the talks, General Thanh stressed that Vietnam would continue to support the US in searching for and repatriating the remains of US MIAs through considering an additional six joint search locations.

For his part, the US Secretary of Defence agreed to actively provide information and assistance for Vietnam 's search for fallen soldiers, and participate in bomb and mine clearance and dioxin treatment at the Bien Hoa, Da Nang and Phu Cat airports.

Showing his optimism about reaching preliminary agreements, Robert Gates spoke highly of the role of Vietnam and the Vietnamese Defence Ministry in organising the ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meeting Plus (ADMM+), which aims to maintain a stable and peaceful region for the benefits of all parties.

The US defence secretary, together with defence ministers and senior officials from ASEAN member countries and seven other dialogue partners, including China , Japan , the Republic of Korea , New Zealand , Australia , Russia and India , will attend the first ADMM+ initiated by Vietnam on October 12./.