Singapore, VN step up defence ties

The sides compared notes on the regional and global issues of shared concern, including defence and security challenges to both countries and the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) such as competition among major powers, the East Sea issue, and non-traditional security challenges. 

They agreed that ASEAN should maintain its solidarity and central role in the regional security architecture while promoting the role and responsibilities of partner countries.

Regarding bilateral defence relations, they noted with pleasure the strongly developing ties between the two countries’ defence ministries and armies, particularly the exchange of all-level delegations, training, information sharing, and cooperation between armed services.

 In the future, both sides will continue promoting the efficiency of existing cooperation mechanisms and deepen current collaboration contents in a practical and effective manner. They will also build a three-year cooperation plan to concretise collaboration aspects.

Earlier, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh paid a courtesy visit to Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, who spoke highly of the two defence ministries’ maintenance of the deputy minister-level Defence Policy Dialogue – a leading important mechanism to assess bilateral defenceties as well as put forth orientations and measures to boost the relations in the time ahead.

By Hoang Ha