On the morning of July 2, the 5th Vietnam - Italy Defense Policy Dialogue took place at the Ministry of National Defense.
Senior General Hoang Xuan Chien, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Minister of National Defense chaired and met with Mr. Matteo Perego di Cremnago, Secretary of the Italian Ministry of National Defense.
At the dialogue, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien affirmed that Vietnam consistently implements the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations; adheres to the "four no's" defense policy.
Regarding the East Sea issue, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien affirmed that Vietnam's consistent viewpoint is to persistently fight to resolve all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea UNCLOS 1982; international and regional commitments such as the Declaration on the Southern Sea Conduct (DOC); support and promote the early signing of the Code of Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (COC) in a practical and effective manner.
Senior General Hoang Xuan Chien expressed his delight that the Vietnam - Italy defense cooperation relationship continues to be consolidated and enhanced in a practical and effective manner, in accordance with signed documents and cooperation agreements, outstanding in areas such as: Exchanging delegations, especially high-level delegations; effectively maintaining dialogue and consultation mechanisms; training; defense industry; and United Nations peacekeeping.
Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense is ready to receive Italian soldiers to participate in the International Defense Officials' Course at the National Defense Academy and learn Vietnamese at the Academy of Military Sciences.
Senior General Hoang Xuan Chien suggested that in the coming time, the two sides should focus on studying the possibility of signing cooperation documents; continue to promote delegation exchanges at all levels, training, defense industry, and peacekeeping at the United Nations; research and expand mechanisms and forms of exchanges and consultations to enhance understanding and trust between the two sides; continue to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations and within the framework of ASEAN - European Union (EU).
Italy has a voice in support for the EU to soon remove the IUU "yellow card" warning for Vietnam, and supports Vietnam in promoting defense cooperation with the EU under the Agreement on establishing a framework for Vietnam's participation in EU (FPA) crisis management activities.
Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien respectfully thanked and appreciated the presence of Mr. Quoc Hoang and the delegation of the Ministry of National Defense and leading defense industry of Italy at the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024.
At the end of the Dialogue, the two sides signed a Dialogue Minutes and a Protocol on the establishment of a Working Group on bilateral cooperation in the field of defense equipment.
