VietNamNet Bridge – The US is keen to strengthen its ties with Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries on the basis of trust building in cooperation areas.

 

 

The fourth Vietnam-US defence dialogue was successfully wrapped up in Washington on October 30.

The two sides compared notes on bilateral military and defence cooperation, regional security and other issues of mutual concern including maritime freedom, safety and security and threats to regional peace and stability.

They agreed to solve all issues related to maritime safety and security, and sea disputes in East Asia and Southeast Asia through peaceful means and diplomatic negotiations on the basis of respect for international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other agreements between ASEAN and China such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea and the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

They highlighted the result of defence cooperation within the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) framework as one of new security structure that needs improving.

The US praised Vietnam for active involvement  in the UN peace keeping force and thanked the Vietnamese Government, people and army for their positive support in dealing with humanitarian issues such as the search for remains of US servicemen who died during the war in Vietnam.

The US side also confirmed its support support for Vietnam's dioxin decontamination, bomb and mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) deactivation, search & rescue and natural disaster mitigation efforts.

The US is committed to promoting coast guard cooperation and providing military training and international education programmes.

The US Department of Defence is expected to meet defence ministers from Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries in Hawaii early next April to discuss cooperation in the interests of regional security.

During their stay, the Vietnamese defence delegation toured a number of naval bases and the US Coast Guard (USCG).

Source: VOV