The Vietnamese naval delegation participating in the event is led by Vice Admiral Pham Hoai Nam, Commander of the Vietnam People’s Navy.
Over the past 30 years since its inception, WPNS with common efforts of member countries has developed in both quality and quantity. Cooperation within the framework of WPNS has been continuously expanded with increased contents, contributing to improving trust among regional countries and promoting maritime cooperation among regional navies.
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Vice Admiral Pham Hoai Nam (L) |
Addressing the opening ceremony, Admiral Sim Seung-Seob, Commander of the RoK Navy highly valued the WPNS cooperation mechanism, stressing that it has significantly promoted cooperation among regional countries, particularly member ones, in dealing with traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges.
He considered that the Western Pacific is a dynamic region so it needs peace and security. He urged regional navies to further promote coordination, especially in current context, in implementing peace initiatives and responding to threats to maritime security in the region on the basis of international.
Meanwhile, the newly-appointed RoK Defense Minister Jung Kyung Doo, in his speech of congratulations on WPNS-16, also expressed delight at the current close connectivity and common voice of regional navies as a result of WPNS previous editions.
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Naval commanders in a joint photo with RoK Defense Minister Jung Kyung Doo |
He affirmed that the joint statement of the ASEAN countries’ Defense Ministers has contributed positively to regional peace and stability.
The RoK Defense Minister also briefed the participants on the general situation of the Korea peninsular and said that the positive results of the recent meetings between leaders of the RoK and the socialist Democratic People's Republic of Korea have opened a hope for peace and unification of the two sides of the Korea peninsular.
He asked regional countries to continue cooperation for peace in the peninsular as well as in the region and world.
With the theme “For a peaceful and stable Western Pacific Sea”, WPNS-16 reviewed outcomes of cooperation among regional countries over the past time, and put forth new ideas for joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Delegates also focused discussion on practice of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), guidance on responses to natural calamities of WPNS, and cooperation in anti-terrorism, military medicine and UN peacekeeping operations.
Representatives of member navies also informed multilateral activities they will host in the coming time.
The Vietnam People’s Navy revealed that it will host several big events in 2020 when Vietnam takes the Chairmanship of ASEAN, and will hold an international feet review in the Nha Trang water, Vietnam, in celebration of the 65th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Navy.
Reported by Duy Khanh-Chi Cuong from Jeju, RoK
Translated by Thu Nguyen