Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang hosted a welcome ceremony in Hanoi on Monday morning for his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam from Sunday through Tuesday.

The two top defense officials held talks right after the welcome ceremony.

Minister Giang underlined the importance of the visit, which is among the events in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Malaysia diplomatic ties and is expected to advance bilateral defense cooperation in the years ahead.

He affirmed Vietnam and Malaysia are close neighbors in Southeast Asia and share many similarities in culture and history.

Both countries have consistently demonstrated their proactiveness and responsibility as members of ASEAN, providing mutual support on various crucial international matters.

They are collaboratively developing an action plan to implement their strategic partnership throughout the 2021-2025 period, encompassing various aspects such as defense cooperation.

The Malaysian minister noted that the defense ties between Vietnam and Malaysia have experienced significant growth, particularly after the signing of a memorandum of understanding on bilateral defense cooperation in 2008 and the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2015.

He conveyed his desire for an elevation of defense relations between Vietnam and Malaysia in the future.

The two top defense officials shared the view that there is significant potential for both nations to enhance their defense cooperation.

They suggested that both sides continue to effectively implement the signed agreements and formulate new cooperation plans.

The focus should include delegation exchanges, establishing consultation-dialogue mechanisms, training, defense industry collaboration, logistics, military medicine, and rescue efforts.

They emphasized the importance of supporting each other in regional and international security forums.

Both ministers also engaged in discussions on global and regional issues of mutual concern.

They highlighted the continued significance of ASEAN-led mechanisms in fostering dialogues and cooperation among ASEAN member states, as well as non-ASEAN partners.

This collaboration is crucial for promoting peace, stability, and development in the region, particularly in the face of numerous global and regional uncertainties.

The ministers underlined the importance of upholding peace, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Vietnam Sea.

They underscored the necessity for strict and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in these waters.

Both sides expressed the urgency to promptly conclude negotiations and sign the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

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