Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien and his Canadian counterpart Jody Thomas co-chair the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) –Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien and hisCanadian counterpart Jody Thomas co-chaired the first Vietnam – Canada online dialogue on defence policy on July 23.
Chien thanked Canadafor assisting Vietnam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic over the pasttime. Despite geographical distance, bilateral ties have been growing over thepast nearly five decades.
Vietnam always highlyvalues Canada’s role and position on regional and global arenas, and wishes topromote ties with Canada for the benefits of the two countries, and for peaceand common development in the region and the world, he said.
On regional and globalissues, both sides underscored the importance of maritime and aviation freedom,and upholding law abidance in the East Sea.
They stressed thatdisputes need to be settled by peaceful means in line with international law,including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, consideringit a common responsibility of countries and the international community, for thesake of peace, stability, cooperation and development of countries in theregion and the world.
Speaking highly of the results of the Vietnam – Canada defence consultationheld on July 7, the two sides affirmed that bilateral defence ties are growing positively in line with the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defence cooperationsigned by the two defence ministers in 2019, matching each nation’s potentialand demand.
Defence cooperation is becoming one of the important contents in Vietnam – Canada comprehensivepartnership and has been promoted via dialogue, consultation, cooperation in training, peacekeeping and maritime security, and joint work at multilateral forums.
At the event (Photo: VNA) Vietnam will continuesupporting Canada in enhancing collaboration with the region in the principleof ASEAN’s consensus, Chien said.
The deputy ministers alsoadopted the 2021-2023 defence cooperation plan, making important contributionsto bolstering bilateral defence ties, towards the 50th anniversaryof Vietnam-Canada diplomatic ties by 2023.
On the occasion, theVietnamese side also suggested Canada assist Vietnam in accessing COVID-19vaccines and medical supplies./.
