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Delegates at the dialogue |
During the event, the two sides noted that bilateral defense cooperation has been developing in the right direction, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defense cooperation signed in 2017 and agreements reached by the two countries' senior leaders. Cooperation has yielded positive results in delegation exchanges and cooperation mechanisms, education and training, U.N. peacekeeping, cybersecurity, defense industry, prevention and combat of human trafficking, cooperation among arms and services, scientific research, military medicine, and search and rescue.
Education and training, particularly language training, has emerged as a highlight of bilateral defense cooperation. The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense (MND) thanked the U.K. Ministry of Defense for its annual support for English-language training and professional development for Vietnamese personnel through courses in command and staff work, maritime security and safety, and U.N. peacekeeping.
The two sides agreed to focus future cooperation on delegation exchanges, particularly at the senior level; maintaining the effectiveness of the Defense Policy Dialogue mechanism; studying the signing and updating of cooperation documents; strengthening training; promoting cooperation in U.N. peacekeeping; and expanding cooperation among arms and services and in cybersecurity, prevention and combat of human trafficking, military medicine, search and rescue, and other areas that match the needs and strengths of both countries.
Regarding training, Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense is ready to receive U.K. military personnel for Vietnamese-language training and participation in the International Defense Officials Course in Viet Nam. He also proposed that the U.K. Ministry of Defense continue providing English-language training courses for Vietnamese personnel.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang and Vernon Coaker sign the minutes of the 6th Viet Nam-U.K. Defense Policy Dialogue. |
During the event, Vernon Coaker underscored the importance of the dialogue to bilateral defense cooperation and reaffirmed the U.K.'s commitment to cooperation with Viet Nam. He expressed his hope that defense ties would continue to expand in areas, such as delegation exchanges, training, maritime affairs, hydrography, U.N. peacekeeping, and other potential areas, contributing to promoting mutual understanding and trust.
The U.K. official added that the U.K. would work to direct relevant agencies to coordinate with their counterparts at the Vietnamese MND to fully implement the outcomes of the dialogue.
On the occasion, the Vietnamese defense leader invited leaders of the U.K. Ministry of Defense to visit Viet Nam and attend the 3rd Viet Nam Defense Expo, scheduled for December 10-13, 2026, in Hanoi. Viet Nam's MND is ready to facilitate U.K. defense industry companies' participation in the expo to display and introduce their products and seek opportunities for cooperation in the defense industry.
Thanking Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang for the invitation, Vernon Coaker affirmed that the U.K. would send a high-level delegation from the U.K. Ministry of Defense to attend the expo.
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Delegates in joint photos |
At the dialogue, the two sides also exchanged views on the global and regional situation and issues of mutual concern. Regarding the East Sea (known as South China Sea) issue, Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang reaffirmed Viet Nam's consistent position of resolving disputes and differences by peaceful means, on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and working toward the early signing of a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
The dialogue concluded with Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang and Vernon Coaker signing the minutes of the 6th Viet Nam-U.K. Defense Policy Dialogue.
Translated by Tran Hoai