Viet Nam, Philippines enhance defence cooperation

At the meeting, General Phan Van Giang affirmed that Viet Nam attaches great importance to consolidating and strengthening its strategic partnership with the Philippines and is determined to work with the country to bring the bilateral relationship to a new level for peace, stability and prosperous development in the region and the world.

The minister suggested that the two sides work harder to further strengthen the Viet Nam-Philippines strategic partnership.

Earlier the same day, Irineo Cruz Espino and Deputy Minister of National Defence, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien co-chaired the 5th defense policy dialogue in Ha Noi.

During the dialogue, they reviewed cooperation outcomes since the previous meeting in 2019, exchanged views on issues of mutual concern at the strategic level, and agreed on defence cooperation orientations.

Both sides spoke highly of ASEAN-led mechanisms and pledged to contribute to consolidating and enhancing the grouping's solidarity and centrality in the regional security architecture.

Thei pair highlighted the importance of ensuring freedom, security, and safety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea and the need to promote commitments and the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon formulate a substantive, effective Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They concurred to foster bilateral defense cooperation, making it more practical and effective and focusing on delegation exchange to carry forward existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly consultation and defense policy dialogue.

Additionally, the two countries will step up collaboration in training, pay more attention to cooperation in logistics, and enhance cooperation in such areas as military medicine, search and rescue operations, and the defence industry.

The two sides also agreed to maintain consultation and mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms, especially those led by ASEAN.

On this occasion, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien invited leaders of the Philippine Department of National Defence (DND), armed forces and businesses to attend the Viet Nam International Defence Expo next year./.