The Vietnamese defense leader emphasized the special significance of the dialogue since the two countries lifted their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world on the occasion of the official Japan visit of the Vietnamese State President in November 2023. On that fruitful basis, the bilateral ties have entered a new development period, opening up more cooperation opportunities in various fields between the two defense ministries.
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An overview of the dialogue |
Over the past time, the bilateral defense ties have reaped practical outcomes according to the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Cooperation towards the next decade signed in April 2018 by the two ministries, particularly in all-level delegation exchange, defense policy dialogue, education-training, military medicines, search and rescue, war relief, capacity-building support program, mutual support and consultation in multilateral forums and mechanisms, especially ASEAN-led ones.
Gen. Chien acknowledged contribution of the two militaries as the co-chairs of ADMM+ Experts’ Working Group on U.N. peacekeeping in the 2021-2023 period and the successful co-organization of the Competency Evaluation Program for Prospective U.N. Peacekeepers (CEPPP) in Vietnam. He congratulated the Japanese Ministry of Defense and the Deputy Defense Minister on successfully hosting the 13th ASEAN - Japan Deputy Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Japan last January.
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Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the dialogue. |
At the event, the two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of common concern. Gen. Chien stressed that Vietnam is consistent with the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, multilateralization and diversification of external relations, and the "four no's" defense policy. He also underlined that Vietnam always wishes countries to resolve issues through dialogue, peaceful means on the basis of international law and commitments, together building an environment of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.
Regarding future cooperation orientations, the Vietnamese official suggested the two sides continue their great efforts to promote cooperation with a focus on exchange of delegations at all levels, education and training, defense industry, military medicine, search and rescue, naval affairs, cyber security, U.N. peacekeeping, war relief, and improvement of maritime law enforcement. Other suggestions included further implementation of capacity-building support programs in fields of their strengths and increased coordination and consultation at multilateral mechanisms, particularly ADMM+.
“The Vietnamese MND is willing to welcome Japanese officers to take part in international defense official courses at the National Defense Academy and Vietnamese language courses at the Military Science Academy,” Gen. Chien said.
For his part, Deputy Defense Minister Serizawa Kiyoshi affirmed the importance of the two countries’ relations and bilateral defense ties. He believed that the dialogue would help enhance the defense relations in a practical and effective manner.
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Deputy Defense Minister Serizawa Kiyoshi and the Japanese delegation at the event |
The Japanese official wished the defense ties would further develop with the expansion of new cooperation fields of their strengths and needs. He added that Japan pays special attention to the agenda on women, peace and security.
Sharing view on regional and global situations with his Vietnamese counterpart, Deputy Minister Serizawa Kiyoshi underscored the spirit of the rule-of-law and joining hands to build an environment of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.
In the evening the same day, the two head delegates signed the minutes of the dialogue.
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The two head delegates sign the minutes of the dialogue. |
* Earlier, in the morning, the Japanese Deputy Defense Minister visited the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VNDPKO).
Expressing thanks to Japan for the support in U.N. peacekeeping operations, VNDPKO Director Senior Colonel Pham Manh Thang laid stress on Vietnam’s willing to promote its cooperation with Japan in this field.
The Japanese official highly appreciated the cooperative ties between the peacekeeping forces of the two countries and hoped that they would strengthen collaboration in the fields of their strengths and demands.
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At the meeting between the Japanese Deputy Defense Minister and the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations |
The two sides agreed to further peacekeeping cooperation in such areas as delegation exchange, training, experience sharing, technical assurance, and organization of meetings, seminars, forums on U.N. peacekeeping operations.
The Japan side will continue to invite Vietnamese officers to short training courses and exercises on peacekeeping in Japan, support Vietnam in building capacity of instructors on peacekeeping and send experts to pre-deployment training courses opened for Vietnamese engineering company.
In the coming time, both sides will jointly organize cultural, sport and artistic exchanges, and experience sharing between their peacekeeping forces deployed in South Sudan as well.
Translated by Mai Huong