Vietnam is consistent in applying its diplomatic policy of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang said at the 11th Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS-11) in Russia on Tuesday.

Delivering a speech at a session to discuss security in the Asia-Pacific region, Minister Giang affirmed that the region is dynamic and holds high potential for development.

He also noted that it continues to play an important role in global economic, science, and technology development.

According to Minister Giang, the region has attracted the interest and presence of many countries from around the globe, particularly large nations, thereby opening up opportunities for cooperation and development and fueling geopolitical competition.   

The Asia-Pacific region is also facing a slew of non-traditional security issues that are becoming increasingly severe, such as natural disasters, epidemics, climate change, energy and cybersecurity threats, and transnational crimes.

The Vietnamese official called for solidarity, collaboration, and contributions from countries worldwide to deal with these issues.

He affirmed that political trust, strategic confidence, goodwill in cooperation for mutual development, equality, and respect among countries are needed to ensure an environment of peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Countries around the world should also respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests of their neighbors, their rights to self-determination, and international law; fulfill regional commitments; and resolve conflicts by peaceful means.

Vietnam adheres to the principle of settling disputes in the East Vietnam Sea by peaceful means while respecting nations’ independence, sovereignty, and legitimate interests, as well as international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Minister Giang said.

The Southeast Asian country hopes to build an effective and practical Code of Conduct for the East Vietnam Sea with clearer legalities.

It also wants to be a friend to all nations and a responsible and reliable partner in the international community, refraining from military alliances or bloc affiliations, not interfering in other countries’ internal affairs, and seeking to contribute to global and regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.

On the sidelines of the MCIS-11, Minister Giang held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu, during which he affirmed that Vietnam and Russia have a traditional partnership.

Vietnam always values its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in line with the Joint Statement on Vision for Development of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Russia until 2030.

The two ministers agreed to intensify cooperation to contribute to the development of the traditional partnership between the two countries.               

The Vietnamese minister also met with his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu.

The two ministers reiterated that defense cooperation is one of the important pillars of the relations between Vietnam and China.

They agreed to further promote the collaboration in national defense to develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations in a healthy and stable manner.

Minister Giang also invited Li to pay an official visit to Vietnam during the eighth Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange set for next month.

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