Defence Ministers Phan Van Giang (L) and Ng Eng Hen at their meeting in Singapore on February 25 (Photo: VNA)MinisterGiang, who is accompanying President Nguyen Xuan Phuc during a State visit to Singaporefrom February 24 to 26, said amid the complex and unpredictable developmentsin the international and regional situation, the countries’ strategicpartnership has still been flourishing, with the increasingly enhanced politicaltrust and cooperation in economy - trade, culture, education - training, anddefence - security.
Despitethe complicated COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have taken proactive andflexible moves to carry out cooperation activities; maintain strategic dialogue,consultation, information exchange, and training mechanisms; and support eachother at the events held by their defence ministries, according to theVietnamese minister.
He alsothanked the Singaporean Ministry of Defence and Minister Ng Eng Hen for backingVietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020.
For hispart, the Singaporean minister spoke highly of the Vietnamese delegation’svisit, especially the signing of the agreement on bilateral defence cooperationthe same day, and acknowledged Vietnam’s support for his country’s initiativesin ASEAN.
Bothsides agreed on the cooperation orientations for the time ahead, with a focuson promoting coordination to carry out the signed agreement in an effectivemanner and enhancing ties between the militaries’ arms and services in aneffective manner that matches each side’s potential and demand.
MinisterNg Eng Hen expressed his belief that on the basis of the defence cooperation deal,both sides will implement cooperation in multiple fields more practically.
At themeeting, the two officials exchanged views on some international and regionalissues of common concern, including the maintenance of ASEAN’s cooperationmechanisms and centrality. They agreed to maintain the bloc’s stance onregional security issues, including the peaceful settlement of sea-related disputessuch as those in the East Sea on the basis of international law, including the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to promotethe building of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea.
Visitingthe Changi Naval Base later the same day, Minister Giang recognised the outcomesof cooperation between the two countries’ naval forces as seen in information sharing,consultation, and exchange activities, expressing his hope for the continuedfruitful ties in the time to come./.
VNA
