At the event, delegates discussed international and regional defense and security situation and measures to promote ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation. The head of the Japanese delegation presented the Japan-ASEAN Ministerial Initiative for Enhanced Defense Cooperation (JASMINE), built on the basis of the proposal of the Japanese Defense Minister at the Non-official Meeting of Defense Ministers of ASEAN-Japan countries in November 2023.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien (second from right) and delegates attend the 13th ASEAN-Japan Defense Vice-Ministerial Forum. (Photo: VNA) |
Speaking at the forum, Gen. Chien highlighted its significance, considering it an important event for ASEAN and Japan to jointly assess the situation and propose new directions for defense cooperation; together strengthen solidarity, share, and practically cooperate to overcome challenges, seek new opportunities to responsibly contribute to regional security, peace, and prosperity.
The head of the Vietnamese delegation said that ASEAN and Japan have become important partners of each other. He highly appreciated Japan’s JASMINE initiative and voiced support for the implementation of "Vientiane Vision 2.0" on strengthening defense cooperation between Japan and ASEAN as well as other initiatives for peace and security in the region.
Gen. Chien also proposed measures to promote ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation in the coming time. The Vietnamese deputy defense minister said that Japan should strengthen its support for ASEAN mechanisms and initiatives, promote dialogue cooperation, build trust, and handle disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. He also proposed that the two sides strengthen cooperation in areas that Japan has strengths and ASEAN has demands as well as in dealing with non-traditional security challenges.
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An overview of the forum (Photo: VNA) |
Gen. Chien affirmed that as a responsible member of the international community and ASEAN, Vietnam will continue to actively and effectively participate in the defense and military cooperation framework between ASEAN and its partners, including Japan, to contribute more to peace, prosperity, cooperation and common development of the region and the world.
He invited leaders of defense ministries of ASEAN countries and Japan and their defense enterprises to the second Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024.
The same day, Gen. Chien had bilateral meetings with Japanese Deputy Defense Minister in charge of foreign relations Serizawa Kiyoshi and Japan’s State Minister of Defense Oniki Makoto.
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Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Japan’s State Minister of Defense Oniki Makoto |
During the conversations, the Vietnamese deputy defense minister wished that the two sides will continue to consolidate and strengthen defense cooperation in accordance with the orientation and contents determined by senior leaders and defense leaders of the two countries. The Japanese side hoped that the cooperative relationship between the two defense ministries will further develop to be on par with the bilateral relationship.
Translated by Tran Hoai