VN attends ASEAN-Japan defence vice-ministerial forum
VGP - A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh attended the 9th ASEAN-Japan DefenceVice-Ministerial Forum that opened in Fukuoka, Japan, on September 13.
The event draw the participation of Japanese Deputy Minister of Defence Ro Manabe and representatives of 10 ASEAN member countries and the ASEAN Secretariat.
He underlined the need for the member countries to enhance solidarity and unanimity on the basis of the consensus principle, which is based on international law, the ASEAN Charter and internationally-recognised
According to the Deputy Minister, new security challenges have emerged recently in the region and the world, requiring the ASEAN nations have a new approach and a thorough viewpoint for further development. Each ASEAN country has its own problems and they need joint efforts to address those problems. The ASEAN members should set aside their own interests to overcome differences and reach consensus for the sake of the whole community.
It is essential to specify the standards for ASEAN to push practical and effective cooperation, he said, adding that Vietnam not only needs cooperation and assistance from the international community and other ASEAN countries but is also ready to share experiences in clearing mines and bombs, settling war consequences, search and rescue, and military medicine.
He also hailed Japan’s efforts in organising the ASEAN-Japan Defence Vice-
The forum consisted of three main sessions on the enhanced achievements and solidarity, the regional security situation, and the Vientiane Vision’s facts and prospects.
Earlier on September 12, Nguyen Chi Vinh and his Japanese counterpart Ro Manabe had a meeting on the sidelines of the 9th ASEAN-Japan Defence Vice-
The Japanese Deputy Defence Minister hailed the growing defence cooperation between Japan ASEAN nations, including Viet Nam.
Concerning the China-ASEAN COC, Vinh stated that it must be based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982).
Viet Nam does not accept the so-called new status in the East Sea which was created through illegal reclamation, construction and militarization of reefs and shoals in the waters, he said, noting that thecountry backs denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and the settlement of all issues through peaceful dialogues on the basis of respect for international law.-VOV