Vietnam, US vow to deepen security, defense cooperation

January 26, 2015 | 10:26
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Vietnam and the U.S. have pledged to strengthen their security and defense cooperation to deal with challenges to regional and international security issues of mutual concern.

The commitment was reached during the seventh Vietnam-U.S. Political, Security and Defense Dialogue that took place in Hanoi on January 22 and 23 under the chair of Ha Kim Ngoc, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister, and Puneet Talwar, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs.

During the event, the two sides discussed ways to enhance defense and security collaboration within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on advancing bilateral defense cooperation signed on September 19, 2011.

In respect to the East Vietnam Sea issue, the host and the guest affirmed their common interests in maintaining peace, stability and maritime and aviation freedom, as well as in settling disputes by peaceful diplomatic measures based on international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, while avoiding any unilateral provocative acts.

The two sides pledged to strengthen their cooperation to deal with regional and international security challenges of common concern.

They also reiterated their commitment to fostering bilateral relations on the basis of friendship, mutual respect and trust as well as joint commitments for peace, stability, prosperity and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

They agreed to deepen ties in various fields, including maritime security, disaster relief, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, peacekeeping operations, anti-drug smuggling, cyber security, and law enforcement issues.

The two sides vowed to step up cooperation in law enforcement at sea, especially in capacity building to cope with disasters and carry out search and rescue activities.

They agreed to strengthen collaborations on searching for missing-in-action (MIA) persons, dealing with Agent Orange/dioxin consequences, and clearing unexploded ordnance.

The dialogue also discussed activities to be conducted to mark 20 years of the normalization of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the U.S.

The next dialogue will be organized in Washington D.C. in 2016.

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