Moscow (VNA) – The Moscow Conference onInternational Security (MCIS) has been an important forum contributing tomaintaining and promoting peace, stability and security in Asia-Pacific and theworld, said Vietnamese Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich.
Addressing the seventh MCIS in Moscow, Russia, onApril 5, General Lich talked about multilateral mechanisms in Asia-Pacific andcollective actions against emerging challenges and threats.
He said the region is facing potential risks to itsstability, with global issues, including traditional and non-traditionalsecurity challenges such as the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula,territorial water sovereignty disputes, weapons of mass destruction, racial andreligious conflicts, terrorism, cyber security, natural disasters, diseases andadverse impacts of the fourth industrial revolution, among others.
“However, we would be optimistic about good thingsbrought about by multi-class, multi-sector cooperation trend, both bilateraland multilateral,” he said.
The officer cited the fruitful bilateral relationsbetween Vietnam and Russia in the region, along with cooperation mechanisms ledby the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) like the East Asia Summitand the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) to clarify his views.
Efforts made by a single country cannot address suchchallenges but it requires connectivity and joint efforts of the entire region,with the army playing the key role, he stressed.
General Lich also applauded Russia’s contributions toregional peace and stability over the past time, particularly within theframework of the ADMM , calling on the country to carry forward its role inAsia-Pacific, step up cooperation and friendship with the ASEAN membercountries, and work with the group to maintain the balance in the region,prevent conflicts and wars and reduce the arms race, contributing tomaintaining regional peace, security and stability.
He affirmed that Vietnam persistently pursues thepolicy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisationand diversification of international relations, and being a trust-worthy friend and partner of all countries, and aresponsible member of the international community.
Vietnam advocates handling disputes, including EastSea dispute, by peaceful measures on the basis of international law andregional commitments, he said.
The seventh MCIS took place from April 4-5 under thetheme “Middle East outlook after eradication ofISIS in Syria”. More than 850 delegates from 95 countries attendedthe event.-VNA
VNA