The United States is taking into consideration the transfer of jet trainers to Vietnam, U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis said during a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Ngo Xuan Lich in Singapore on Friday.

Secretary Mattis and General Lich convened a meeting on the sidelines of the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue, which takes place at the namesake hotel in Singapore from June 1 to 3.

Launch in 2002, Shangri-La Dialogue is Asia's annual premier defense summit, a unique meeting of ministers and delegates from over 50 countries across the world.

During the gathering, Secretary Mattis and Minister Lich agreed that the U.S.-Vietnam relationship has generated positive outcomes in the past years, contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region and the world.

Delegations from Vietnam and U.S. defense ministries join talks in Singapore. Photo: Tuoi Tre

They consented to continue existing cooperative realms in line with signed agreements, prioritizing the settlement of war consequences, while maintaining dialogue mechanisms and high-level delegation exchanges.  

Vietnam continues to be one of the most important partners of the U.S., Mattis said, adding that the visit of aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson to the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang in March was the representation of the strong bilateral ties.

Minister Ngo Xuan Lich talks with Secretary James Mattis on June 1, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The U.S. welcomed Vietnam’s voice in the region and the world, and appreciates the Southeast Asian country’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. 

According to the Secretary of Defense, the U.S. is taking into account the transfer of jet trainers and other equipment to Vietnam.

Minister Lich stated that both sides should establish a detailed plan regarding such a proposal and submit it to higher authorities of the two nations for further decisions.

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