VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Defence Minister, Senior Lieutenant-general Nguyen Chi Vinh has stressed Vietnam’s consistent defence policy, saying the country only wants to protect its territorial sovereignty and contribute to peace and stability in the region and the world.

Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and US Pacific Commander. (Source: VNA)

The Deputy Defence Minister made the remarks on June 1 while answering reporters’ questions on the sidelines of the 12th Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore.

At the dialogue, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung delivered a keynote speech which re-affirmed Vietnam’s defence policy is that of peace, self-defence and non-allied to any country. Vinh said this policy is supported by the whole world and in line with the trend of the era.

In the speech, PM Dung also gave out general assessments of regional situation and proposed constructively strategic measures for regional security situation, he added.

According to Deputy Defence Minister Vinh, PM Dung announced Vietnam’s decision to participate in UN peacekeeping operations in such areas as military engineering, military medicine and military observation. He said the decision confirms that Vietnam is a responsible member of the international community.

“It is a development step in our country’s international integration, including integration in the field of defence and security,” he noted.

Regarding the participation of PM Dung as a keynote speaker, Vinh said that this was the first time a Prime Minister of Vietnam to deliverer a speech at the Shangri La Dialogue.

This was also the first time the world defense circle to have a chance to hear Vietnamese Government leader talking about the issue of defence and security, Vinh added.

Vietnam reinforces defence ties with countries

Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh has affirmed that Vietnam wishes to further strengthen friendship and cooperation with countries, including defence ties.

It was made at his bilateral meetings on June 1 with the Ministers of Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia; the Deputy Defence Ministers of Singapore, Brunei, Russia and the Republic of Korea, the US Pacific Commander and the Vice Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army on the fringes of the 12 th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Deputy Defence Minister Vinh praised international support to Vietnam’s stance on building a peaceful and stable environment in the region in line with international law. He also thanked countries for assisting Vietnamese army in various fields.

During the meetings, the two sides reviewed bilateral army relations and exchanged views on regional security situation.

They mulled ways to further reinforce bilateral defence ties on the basis of traditional friendship, and foster development cooperation to seek common voices on major regional and global issues of mutual concern like peace, maritime security and anti-terrorism.

Source: Vietnam Plus