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Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh speaks at the ASEAN-RoK Deputy Defense Ministers’ Meeting |
At the meeting with deputy defense ministers and equivalents of the ten ASEAN member countries, Deputy Defense Minister of RoK emphasized that the country sees ASEAN as the first and foremost priority in its “New Southern Policy”. The senior defense official mentioned the fields and approaches RoK wishes to cooperate with ASEAN.
He clarified that RoK promotes cooperation with the bloc in respect to its principle of consensus and its central role in regional mechanisms. The two sides expand cooperation on the basis of common benefits, teamed up to respond to both traditional and non-traditional security threats.
He affirmed that RoK also wishes to establish mechanisms to promote bilateral cooperation with individual member countries of ASEAN, such as regular meetings between chiefs of the military sectors of logistics, personnel, defense industry and intelligence, as well as signing of bilateral agreements on defense cooperation. RoK hopes to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN within the framework of working groups of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) on maritime security, anti-terrorism, cybersecurity and military medicine.
Delegates from ASEAN countries at the meeting applauded and highly valued RoK’s “New Southern Policy”, and hoped that defense cooperation between ASEAN and RoK will be promoted in a practical and effective manner, contributing to peace and stability in the region.
Sharing the same view with other delegates at the meeting, General Vinh said that the mechanism of ASEAN-RoK Deputy Defense Ministers’ Meeting can contribute positively to realizing RoK’s “New Southern Policy”, for the benefits of both ASEAN and RoK.
According to the Vietnamese senior defense official, the mechanism should soon be institutionalized so that it can become a venue for regional defense officials not only to exchange defense policies but also to discuss approaches to implement concrete cooperation fields.
General Vinh also suggested RoK expand its cooperation with ASEAN member countries within the framework of ADMM+ in the fields of UN peacekeeping operations, maritime security and humanitarian mine action program.
On the same day, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh had bilateral meetings with several senior officials participating in the meeting.
At the meeting with ROK Deputy Foreign Minister Kang Jeong-sik, General Vinh expressed delight at the comprehensive development of the Vietnam-RoK strategic partnership. He hoped that the two sides would continuously bolster defense cooperation and make it a pillar in the bilateral relations. He affirmed that Vietnam is ready to welcome RoK naval vessels to Vietnam, and will send its naval ships to participate in an international fleet review in RoK in the coming time.
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At the meeting between Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh and Canadian Deputy Defense Minister Judy Thomas |
Regarding the cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations, General Vinh revealed that Vietnam will deploy its first level-2 field hospital to South Sudan in October. He also appreciated and asked RoK to continue its support for Vietnam in overcoming the aftermath of war, particularly in clearing off unexploded ordnance and detoxifying dioxin-polluted land in Vietnam.
For his part, RoK Deputy Foreign Minister Kang Jeong-sik emphasized that Vietnam is a key partner in its “New Southern Policy”, and that RoK always pays much attention to Vietnam’s proposals.
He confirmed that RoK will continue development projects, including those to support the country to overcome the aftermath of war. He also promised to do his best to strengthen the bilateral relations as well as defense cooperation between the two countries.
At the meeting between General Vinh and Canadian Deputy Defense Minister, Ms. Judy Thomas, the two sides expressed pleasure at the fine outcomes of the bilateral defense cooperation, particularly in the fields of UN peacekeeping operations and visits of naval vessels, personnel training and exchange of delegations at all levels.
The two sides agreed to further expand the bilateral defense cooperation in a more comprehensive manner while promoting the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation and a three-year cooperation plan.
General Vinh said, Vietnam welcomes and supports Canada to engage in the ADMM+ mechanism under ASEAN’s consensus.
Reported by Bao Trung from Seoul, RoK
Translated by Thu Nguyen