Vietnam, US Hold Defence Policy Dialogue 2022

At the dialogue (Photo: VNA)

Readout of U.S.-Vietnam Defense Policy Dialogue between Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner and Vietnam Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien

After being delayed for a year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this dialogue was held in order to evaluate the results of bilateral defence co-operation between both sides over recent times and to outline orientations for defence co-operation over the next years.

The two sides used the platform to exchange views on world and regional situations of shared concern and to assess the development of bilateral defence ties in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Promoting Defense Cooperation in 2011 and the 2015 Joint Vision Statement on Defence Relations. This thereby helped to make positive contributions to the bilateral relationship as well as activities in preparation for the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam - US comprehensive partnership from 2013 to 2023, reported the VOV.

They applauded the various efforts and results achieved across multiple areas of co-operation, especially in overcoming the consequences of previous conflicts. This includes the implementation of a project on environmental treatment of dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa airport, a project to support people with disabilities in areas heavily sprayed with Agent Orange, bomb and mine clearance efforts, and the search for remains of soldiers missing in the war.

Furthermore, both sides have been co-operating effectively in areas such as UN peacekeeping, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, military medicine, and capacity building for the Vietnam Coast Guard.

The two sides agreed that in the coming time, they will continue to efficiently implement signed agreements, concentrating on overcoming the consequences of the war, UN peacekeeping, military medical cooperation, and search and rescue, while continuing to consult and support each other at regional forums, promoting their role as ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM ) members, contributing to peace, stability and common development in the region.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien presents a souvenir to Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner. Photo: People's Army.

On this occasion, the US side provided additional information to the Vietnamese Defence Ministry on Vietnamese soldiers who died during the war. Meanwhile, Vietnam invited the US Department of Defence to send a delegation to the international defence exhibition in Vietnam in December 2022, pledging to support and create favourable conditions for US defence enterprises to popularise products at the exhibition

As part of the dialogue, the US side provided key information regarding Vietnamese martyrs who died in the war.

The Vietnamese side also cordially invited the US Department of Defence to send a delegation to attend the international defence exhibition in Vietnam which is slated for December, while offering mutual support and optimal conditions for US defence enterprises to display and introduce their products at the event.

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