Vietnam proposes solutions to promote ASEAN defense cooperation

During the conference, delegates discussed the global and regional defense and security situation and measures to promote ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation. The head of the Japanese delegation presented the ASEAN-Japan Defense Ministers' Initiative on Strengthening Defense Cooperation (JASMINE), which was developed based on the proposal of the Japanese Defense Minister at the ASEAN-Japan Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting in November 2023.

At the conference, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien delivered an important speech with the theme “Solidarity and cooperation for regional peace and security”, affirming that this is a very necessary, meaningful and important conference for ASEAN - Japan to jointly assess the situation and propose new directions in defense cooperation; together strengthen solidarity, sharing and substantive cooperation to overcome challenges, seek more opportunities, and make responsible contributions to the security, peace and prosperity of the region.

Vietnam proposes solutions to promote ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation image 1 — Japanese Deputy Minister of Defense and heads of delegations from countries attending the conference pose for a group photo. Photo: VNA.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien said that the 50-year journey of cooperation has affirmed that ASEAN and Japan have become indispensable partners, actively supporting and bringing great benefits to both sides, especially in the field of defense cooperation, contributing to consolidating and increasing strategic trust. The multilateral and bilateral platforms have opened up many opportunities to elevate the defense relationship between ASEAN and Japan to a new level; creating more space commensurate with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien highly appreciated Japan's initiative proposed at the ASEAN-Japan Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting in November 2023; supported the implementation of the "Vientiane Vision 2.0" on strengthening defense cooperation with ASEAN as well as other initiatives for the purpose of peace and security in the region.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien said that in September 2023, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and Japan successfully co-chaired the Capacity Assessment Program for Forces Preparing to Participate in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (CEPPP) within the framework of the Expert Group of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) on Peacekeeping Cycle 4 in Vietnam. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to continue sending forces to participate in UN peacekeeping operations.

The head of the Vietnamese delegation also proposed a number of solutions to promote ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation in the coming time, commensurate with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including: continuing to increase contact and dialogue through channels to exchange views on international and regional issues of mutual concern and build strategic trust; uniformly, synchronously and effectively implementing the pillars of cooperation that the two sides agreed on in November 2023 and on the basis of the "Vientiane Vision 2.0".

Regarding maritime security, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien hopes that ASEAN and Japan will continue to closely coordinate in regional and international mechanisms to ensure regional peace and stability, especially ensuring maritime and aviation security and safety in the East Sea; Japan will increase support for ASEAN mechanisms and initiatives, promote dialogue cooperation, build trust, and resolve disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; and at the same time, propose that the two sides strengthen cooperation in areas where Japan has strengths and ASEAN has needs, as well as to deal with non-traditional security challenges.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien affirmed that as a responsible member of the international community and ASEAN, Vietnam has been and will continue to actively and effectively participate in the defense and military cooperation framework between ASEAN and its partners, including Japan, with the goal and desire to contribute more to peace, prosperity, and common development cooperation in the region and the world.

On this occasion, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien invited leaders of the Ministries of Defense of ASEAN countries and defense industry enterprises and Japan to visit and attend the second Vietnam International Defense Exhibition at the end of 2024.

On the same afternoon, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien had bilateral meetings with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Japanese Ministry of Defense Serizawa Kiyoshi and Minister of State of the Japanese Ministry of Defense Oniki Makoto.

At the meetings, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien assessed that in 2023, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations, the two countries' Ministries of Defense have coordinated to organize many important activities. Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien expressed his hope that the two sides will continue to consolidate and enhance defense cooperation in the direction determined by the two countries' senior leaders and the cooperation contents agreed upon by the leaders of the two Ministries of Defense.

For its part, Japan expressed hope that the cooperation between the two countries' Defense Ministries will increasingly develop, commensurate with the bilateral relationship.

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