VietNamNet Bridge – In 2010, Vietnam made important foreign relations in the field of defense.

In an article on the Ministry of Defense’s ASEAN defense and military conference website Deputy Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh wrote that in 2010, Vietnam created bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms to solve issues related to the country’s security and to expand relations with many countries.

The bilateral defense relations between Vietnam and other countries have developed in depth, strengthening the power of the army and the country’s defense potential. Vietnam has opened high-ranking dialogue channels, upgraded defense dialogues with many countries, including many important partners like China, Russia, USA, Japan and India.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh, bilateral cooperation mechanisms in training, purchasing equipment, defense industrial cooperation, solving non-traditional security issues in 2010 were very effective. Defense relations were expanded, with priority given to neighboring countries, ASEAN member countries and big partners. Much was achieved in raising the power of the army and solving issues related to Vietnam’s defense and regional security.

Vinh said that the defense relations between Vietnam and China were based on the traditional friendships and the entirely strategic relations between the two countries focused on implementing cooperation mechanisms to maintain security at the land and sea border, dealing with security issues of the common concern.

The annual defense dialogue mechanism at the level of Deputy Minister of Defense between the two countries was set up. Other defense relations are developing, which help strengthen mutual understanding and mutual trust between the two sides and solve security issues related to the two countries and the region.

Defense ties between Vietnam and Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia are built on the traditional friendship among the three nations, mutual respect of independence, sovereignty. The three countries cooperated with each other to solve bilateral security issues and regional security issues.

Vietnam signed long-term defense cooperation agreements with Laos and Cambodia.

Vietnam also strengthened defense cooperation with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to effectively solve emerging security issues in the region, for example sea security and anti-terrorism.

In 2010, Vietnam also upgraded its defense relations with big countries like Russia, USA, Japan and India.

As for multilateral cooperation, Vietnam successfully completed its role in coordinating ASEAN defense cooperation activities in 2010. Vietnam left its hallmarks in multilateral defense cooperation.

The success of the ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting Plus (ADMM +), held for the first time in Hanoi, improved the position and prestige of the country and the army.