Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and Deputy Foreign Minister PhamQuang Vinh on Feb. 21 used the occasion of participating in theVietnam-Australia Defence and Diplomacy Strategic Dialogue to exchangecourtesies with Australian Minister of Defence Stephen Smith.
Speaking at the function, Stephen Smith said he is delighted at thestrong development of the comprehensive partnership between the twocountries over recent years, particularly in defence. He spoke highly ofVietnam ’s role in the 2010 ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meeting Plus(ADMM+) in Hanoi , and thanked Vietnam for supporting Australiato take part in the meeting.
The Australian ministerpraised the new way of organising the Vietnam-Australia Defence andDiplomacy Strategic Dialogue, which had the involvement of bothMinistries of Defence and Foreign Affairs. He said that it will boostmutual understanding and trust, while deepening the practicalcooperation and relationship between both countries for mutual benefitsand for regional peace and stability.
Minister Smithsaid that the two countries should step up training programmes forVietnamese military staff, intensify strategic study, and promoteactivities in humanitarian aid, disaster rescue, mine clearance andpost-war relief, as well as exchange experience in peacekeeping,stability, and maritime security.
Stephen Smithshared his opinions on reinforcing the regional coordination,maintaining peace and stability within the region and settling disputesthrough peaceful measures, complying with international law, especiallythe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Headvocated efforts by ASEAN together with China to build the Code ofConduct on the East Sea (COC).
He also said hehopes to receive Vietnamese Minister of Defence, Gen. Phung Quang Thanhin Australia during 2012. He said both countries should continueexchanging delegations of all levels.
After thedialogue, Deputy Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh started his official visit toAustralia from Feb. 21-24 during which he held talks with hisAustralian counterpart Peter Jennings.
The twosides reviewed their bilateral defence cooperation in the period sincethe signing of a memorandum of understand in 2010.
Specific and practical methods of cooperation for future years were also tabled.
The Vietnamese delegation also visited several bases of the Australian Navy.-VNA
Speaking at the function, Stephen Smith said he is delighted at thestrong development of the comprehensive partnership between the twocountries over recent years, particularly in defence. He spoke highly ofVietnam ’s role in the 2010 ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meeting Plus(ADMM+) in Hanoi , and thanked Vietnam for supporting Australiato take part in the meeting.
The Australian ministerpraised the new way of organising the Vietnam-Australia Defence andDiplomacy Strategic Dialogue, which had the involvement of bothMinistries of Defence and Foreign Affairs. He said that it will boostmutual understanding and trust, while deepening the practicalcooperation and relationship between both countries for mutual benefitsand for regional peace and stability.
Minister Smithsaid that the two countries should step up training programmes forVietnamese military staff, intensify strategic study, and promoteactivities in humanitarian aid, disaster rescue, mine clearance andpost-war relief, as well as exchange experience in peacekeeping,stability, and maritime security.
Stephen Smithshared his opinions on reinforcing the regional coordination,maintaining peace and stability within the region and settling disputesthrough peaceful measures, complying with international law, especiallythe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Headvocated efforts by ASEAN together with China to build the Code ofConduct on the East Sea (COC).
He also said hehopes to receive Vietnamese Minister of Defence, Gen. Phung Quang Thanhin Australia during 2012. He said both countries should continueexchanging delegations of all levels.
After thedialogue, Deputy Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh started his official visit toAustralia from Feb. 21-24 during which he held talks with hisAustralian counterpart Peter Jennings.
The twosides reviewed their bilateral defence cooperation in the period sincethe signing of a memorandum of understand in 2010.
Specific and practical methods of cooperation for future years were also tabled.
The Vietnamese delegation also visited several bases of the Australian Navy.-VNA
