The forum included three sessions with three respective themes, namely challenges and efforts to share universal values on the basis of the rule of law, response to natural disasters, and the vision to deepen the ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation.
Participants shared the view that the respect of international law is decisive to peace and stability in the region and around the world. However, competition among the world’s powers, arms races and unilateral attempts to change the status quo not only pose many challenges to international law but also threaten freedom and openness, a platform of peace and prosperity in the region.
Sharing the same views on the importance of respecting international law, Senior Lieutenant General Vinh stressed the need for countries to correctly understand, exactly and objectively interpret international law, while fully and seriously implementing international treaties and agreements that they have signed to ensure the respect of international law.
Participating delegates underlined that, while discussing the rule of law, it is impossible not to mention the East Sea (South China Sea) and East China Sea, adding that countries should not militarize, resort to the use of or threaten to use force in the regions. Disputes must be settled by peaceful means and on the basis of respect of diplomatic and legal processes, they stressed.
Representatives of countries taking part in the forum also reaffirmed the need for the relevant parties to continue fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and completing a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), a binding legal document between ASEAN and China, with the concerns of other countries considered.
At the forum, the ASEAN countries showed their support for Japan to enhance defense ties with the bloc in accordance with the Vientiane Vision, especially activities to improve the capacity of ASEAN member nations.
Delivering a speech on ASEAN – Japan defense ties, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh informed that Vietnam has taken on the role as the coordinator of the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue since August 2018. He stressed that the country will continue to coordinate with Japan in order to materialize cooperation contents between ASEAN and Japan in the spirit of the Vientiane Vision reached by the defense ministers of Japan and ASEAN countries.
On the occasion, Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh also met with his Japanese counterpart Ro Manabe. During the meeting, both sides expressed their satisfaction at the fine development of defense cooperation between Japan and Vietnam in recent years.
They also agreed to promote collaboration in naval ship exchanges, the defense industry, cyber security, war remediation, and UN peacekeeping operations.
Translated by Trung Thanh