Vietnam - US sign Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations

At the meeting, the two sides assessed the results of bilateral cooperation achieved in recent times and affirmed that cooperation in the defense field has met the interests of both sides.

On the morning of June 1, in Hanoi, Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phung Quang Thanh hosted an official welcoming ceremony for US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, who is visiting Vietnam. The two sides held talks and signed a Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam-US Defense Cooperation, emphasizing further cooperation between the two countries in the defense field.

Minister Phung Quang Thanh and Minister Ashton Carter take a souvenir photo together.

After the solemn official welcoming ceremony, the two sides held a joint meeting. At the meeting, the two sides assessed the results of bilateral cooperation achieved in the past time and affirmed that cooperation in the field of defense has met the interests of both sides, in line with the relationship between the two countries.

The US Secretary of Defense highly appreciated and thanked Vietnam for its active and effective cooperation in the search for the remains of Americans missing in action during the war. The two sides pledged to continue to cooperate on this issue in a humanitarian spirit. Both sides expressed their desire to continue to strengthen defense relations in line with their general relations on the basis of respect for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of each country, without affecting the relations of other countries, contributing to ensuring peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phung Quang Thanh clearly affirmed Vietnam's foreign policy of "being ready to be a friend and reliable partner of countries in the international community, for peace, independence and development".

After the talks, the two Ministers signed the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations to guide bilateral cooperation on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Bilateral Defense Cooperation signed in 2011.

The two Ministers signed the Joint Vision Statement.

Minister Phung Quang Thanh affirmed: "The talks took place in the spirit of friendship, openness, frankness and mutual understanding. The two sides discussed bilateral defense relations and recognized the positive and stable development in this field. We welcome the United States' relatively active implementation of the war consequence settlement program. This joint vision statement on defense relations aims to strengthen friendship, understanding, build trust, and deepen the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, for the benefit of the people of both countries."

Regarding future directions, the two sides discussed and agreed on measures to continue promoting cooperation, focusing on overcoming the consequences of war in Vietnam such as clearing and handling bombs, mines and explosives, detoxifying dioxin at heavily contaminated sites, searching for the remains of missing soldiers, and supporting war victims.

Previously, on May 31, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited the Vietnam Navy Command in Hai Phong. Today, Mr. Ashton Carter is expected to have courtesy calls with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Truong Tan Sang./.

According to VOV