Viet Nam, Malaysia sign MoU on defense cooperation
VGP – Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang and Malaysian Minister of Defense Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defense cooperation in Ha Noi on Monday.
Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang (L) and his Malaysian counterparthis Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan sign the MoU on bilateral defense cooperation , Ha Noi, December 4, 2023
During his talks with the Malaysian counterpart prior to the signing ceremony, Phan underlined the significance of Mohamad's Viet Nam visit – a pratical guesture marking the 50th founding anniversary of the tw countries' diplomatic ties.
Phan emphasized that Viet Nam and Malaysia are neighboring countries sharing a lot of cultural and historical similarities and both sides have been active and responsible members of ASEAN.
Both countries have been active in implementing the action program for the strategic partnership in the 2021-2025 period in all areas, including defense cooperation, said Phan.
Mohamad spoke highly of the two countries' positive developments in bilateral defense ties sincd the two sides inked a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation in 2008.
The two ministers agreed to continue effective implementation of the signed agreements, with a focus on enhancing the delegation exchanges and contacts, and setting up consultation and dialogue mechanisms, while strengthening cooperation between the sides' army forces.
The pair also agreed to boost cooperation in training, defense industry, logistics, military medicine, search and rescue.
They pledged to strengthen consultation and mutual support at regional and international security forums, especially the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM Plus mechanisms.
Comparing notes on regional and international issues of shared concerns, the two sides emphasized the importance of ASEAN-led mechanisms in promoting dialogue, cooperation within ASEAN and between the bloc and external partners, for peace, stability, and development in the region.
The two ministers underscored the importance of maintaining peace, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Condut of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and working toward early formulation of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea that is in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
The same day, minister Mohamad paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh./.
