Vietnam, Malaysia agree to expand defense cooperation

PANO – Vietnamese Defense Minister, General Ngo Xuan Lich, led a high-ranking military delegation paying an official visit to Malaysia from October 25 to 27, at the invitation of Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

On October 27, Malaysian Prime Minister Najip Razak hosted a reception for the visiting Vietnamese Defense Minister and his entourage.

At the meeting, the host welcomed the Vietnamese Defense Minister and his aides to the country and confirmed that Malaysia attached importance to its relations with Vietnam and frequent visits of State and defense leaders to each other’s country help promote bilateral friendly relations and mutual trust between the two nations.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najip Razak (L) receiving Vietnamese Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich (2nd from R)

Although highly valuing the good outcomes of defense cooperation between the two sides in recent time, the host still suggested the two countries with their shared maritime borders should expand defense cooperation, contributing to maintaining unity and the central role of ASEAN for regional peace, stability and development.

He affirmed that the Malaysian Government and he himself will always support and create favorable conditions for the two sides to boost defense cooperation toward effective and practical outcomes, contributing to consolidating its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam.

Vietnamese Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich thanked the Malaysian Prime Minister for his reception and passed regards from Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to him.

General Lich confirmed that Vietnam always treasures and gives first and foremost priority to boosting friendly relations, practical and effective cooperation and mutual trust with Malaysia. He expressed his delight at the bilateral relations, which are growing in depth and have become more practical and effective in all areas, including defense cooperation. He asserted that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense will continue promoting close and effective cooperation with the Malaysian Defense Ministry with the aim of contributing to friendly relations between the two nations.

The visiting defense minister also extended congratulations on the great achievements recently obtained by the Malaysian Government and people.

Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (R) welcoming his Vietnamese counterpart Ngo Xuan Lich

Earlier on October 26, an official ceremony to receive the Vietnamese Defense Minister and high-ranking military delegation was held at the Malaysian Defense Ministry headquarters. After the reception, the two defense ministers headed the two high-ranking delegations to have talks.

Welcoming the visiting defense minister and his aides, the Malaysian Defense Minister said that the visit was an important event, contributing to the friendly ties and mutual understanding between the armies of the two countries. He believed bilateral cooperation will be strengthened in the coming time for benefits of each country and for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

The visiting defense minister expressed delight at the visit to Malaysia and seeing his Malaysian counterpart again. He said that the visit aimed to cement friendship, mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples and armies, and to push bilateral defense cooperation for more practical results and effectiveness.

At the meeting

The two defense ministers then discussed various issues of mutual concerns and shared the view that the region is facing a number of complex security challenges, which cannot be resolved by a single country but require concerted efforts and actions on the basis of international law and conventions.

The two sides expressed pleasure towards the recent good outcomes in bilateral defense cooperation areas, including delegation exchange, naval and air force cooperation, training cooperation and exchange of experiences.

The two sides, however, believe that the two countries have much potential to develop defense cooperation. The two defense ministers agreed on several measures to continue the ongoing cooperation areas and expand other areas, such as military medicine, information sharing, defense industry and strategic studies.

The two sides agreed to increase consultation with each other on multilateral forums with the aim of promoting cooperation and confidence building among ASEAN nations and between the bloc and its partners.

Especially, the two ministers agreed to establish bilateral consultation and dialogue mechanisms soon in order to exchange strategic issues in time and advance plans for defense cooperation in the coming time.

During his stay in Malaysia, Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich paid trips to Subang air base and the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia.