Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien and his Canadian counterpart Jody Thomas co-chair the event (Photo: VNA)

Chien thanked Canada for assisting Vietnam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic over the past time. Despite geographical distance, bilateral ties have been growing over the past nearly five decades.

Vietnam always highly values Canada’s role and position on regional and global arenas, and wishes to promote ties with Canada for the benefits of the two countries, and for peace and common development in the region and the world, he said.

On regional and global issues, both sides underscored the importance of maritime and aviation freedom, and upholding law abidance in the East Sea.

They stressed that disputes need to be settled by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, considering it a common responsibility of countries and the international community, for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development of countries in the region and the world.

Speaking highly of the results of the Vietnam – Canada defence consultation held on July 7, the two sides affirmed that bilateral defence ties are growing positively in line with the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defence cooperation signed by the two defence ministers in 2019, matching each nation’s potential and demand.

Defence cooperation is becoming one of the important contents in Vietnam – Canada comprehensive partnership and has been promoted via dialogue, consultation, cooperation in training, peacekeeping and maritime security, and joint work at multilateral forums.

Vietnam will continue supporting Canada in enhancing collaboration with the region in the principle of ASEAN’s consensus, Chien said.

The deputy ministers also adopted the 2021-2023 defence cooperation plan, making important contributions to bolstering bilateral defence ties, towards the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Canada diplomatic ties by 2023.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese side also suggested Canada assist Vietnam in accessing COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies./.

Source: VNA