PANO – Vietnam and Australia held the fourth foreign-defense strategic dialogue at the deputy-ministerial level on November 21 in Hanoi.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Defense Minister, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh and Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Dinh Quy. The Australian delegation was led by its Deputy Secretary Defense People Rebecca Skinners and Deputy Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Gary Quinlan.

At the dialogue. Photo: mod.gov.vn

At the dialogue, the two sides reaffirmed each country’s significant role and position in their foreign policies. The deputy ministers agreed to bolster bilateral relations and boost cooperation in politics, economy, trade, investment, security-defense, education-training, development support, science-technology, and people-to-people exchange, while increasing collaboration between the ministries of foreign affairs and defense. Australia pledged to actively support Vietnam in hosting the APEC Year 2017.

The deputy ministers exchanged notes on international and regional issues of mutual concern, and welcomed joint efforts to enhance cooperation, dialogue and mutual trust for peace, stability and development in the Asian-Pacific region. They also agreed to reinforce coordination at regional organizations and forums.

On this occasion, Australia reaffirmed its support for ASEAN’s efforts in building the ASEAN Community and the bloc’s vision towards 2025, strengthening the intra-bloc’s solidarity, decreasing development disparity, and in promoting the central role of ASEAN in shaping the regional structure.

Expressing concerns over the traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region, the two sides highlighted the significance of peace, stability, security, and safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region, stressing the strict observance of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982), the settlement of disputes via peaceful means, and the respect for the diplomatic and legal process without using violence or threatening to use force.

Vietnam and Australia also agreed to step up information sharing and cooperation in dealing with transnational crimes, terrorism, climate change, and the assurance of the security and sustainable use of the Mekong River’s water sources.

* At the talk later in the day, the two delegations spoke highly of the recent development in bilateral defense cooperation, especially after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defense cooperation. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh and Deputy Secretary Defense People Rebecca Skinners agreed that in the coming time the two sides should promote obtained achievements and enhance delegation exchange and cooperation in training, maritime security, counter-terrorism, UN peacekeeping operations experience sharing and support, cyber-security, and unexploded ordnances consequence relief. They also agreed to support each other at multilateral forums such as ADMM+, contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world.

Translated by Huu Duong