Vietnamese, Japanese defense ministers hold talks

Phan said, the Japanese minister's visit to Viet Nam has deepened the Viet Nam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia which was established in 2023, including bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides have maintained the defense policy dialogue at the deputy ministerial level, and consultations with staff officers of their navy, army and air forces.

He suggested the two sides continue to promote defense cooperation, focusing on key areas such as delegation exchange and contact at all levels, especially high levels.

Phan underlined the need to effectively maintain annual dialogue and consultation mechanisms while bolstering collaboration in overcoming consequences of war, training, military medicine, search and rescue, and United Nations peacekeeping.

Regarding issues at sea, Phan reiterated that Viet Nam consistently advocates the settlement of all disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law and regional commitments, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and promote negotiations on a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Minoru for his part extended his condolences over the recent passing of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong who had made practical contributions to reinforcing Japan-Viet Nam relations.

He expressed his belief that the visit would contribute to further enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership, including defense cooperation, between the two countries.

Following the talks, both ministers exchanged a letter of agreement and the minutes of the mplementation of Japan’s transfer of two multifunctional rescue equipment vehicles to Viet Nam./.