Defense minister meets Singaporean, U.S., Canadian counterparts in Shangri-La
VGP - Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang on June 10 had bilateral meetings with his Singaporean, U.S. and Canadian counterparts on the threshold of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang meets Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, Singapore, June 10, 2022 - Photo: VNA
At the meeting with Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, both sides agreed on defense cooperation orientations, focusing on strengthening coordination to effectively implement signed agreements and fostering cooperation between the two armies.
The two ministers discussed contents related to the upcoming ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and global and regional issues of mutual concern.
Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang (R) meets U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Singapore, June 10, 2022 - Photo: VNA
During the meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the two sides spoke highly of positive outcomes in the bilateral defense cooperation in such areas as war aftermath settlement, delegation exchanges, maritime security, training, search and rescue and humanitarian assistance, and UN peacekeeping.
They pledged to continue promoting cooperation in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Defense Cooperation signed in 2011 and the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations inked in 2015.
The two sides agreed to give priority to handling war consequences, including accelerating and mobilizing resources for the dioxin remediation project at Bien Hoa airport, enhancing capacity for participation in UN peacekeeping missions and promoting military medical cooperation in control of infectious diseases.
Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang (left) meets Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand, Singapore, June 10, 2022 - Photo: VNA
At the meeting with Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand, Phan reiterated that Viet Nam always attaches importance to the comprehensive partnership with Canada, regarding defense cooperation as a pillar of the bilateral relationship.
The defense ties have been promoted in line with the MoU on Bilateral Defense Cooperation signed in 2019 and the 3-year defense cooperation plan in the 2021 - 2023 period, the two ministers noted.
They agreed to continue prioritizing high-level meetings, and strengthening cooperation in consultation-dialogue, training, UN peacekeeping and marine security.
The same day, Phan attended an informal meeting between the U.S. Secretary of Defense and heads of delegations of ASEAN countries at the invitation of U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin./.
