On the morning of August 12, at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien - Member of the Party Central Committee, Member of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Minister of National Defense - had a dialogue with Mr. Hugh Jeffrey - Deputy Secretary General of National Defense of Australia on the 8th National Defense Policy between Vietnam and Australia.
At the dialogue, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that since the 7th Vietnam - Australia Defense Policy Dialogue (March 2024) to date, Vietnam - Australia defense cooperation has been actively and effectively implemented in many fields, commensurate with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
Outstanding activities in areas such as: Exchanges of delegations, contacts at all levels, especially at high levels, have been maintained effectively; cooperation in training, peacekeeping of the United Nations, military cooperation, information sharing, military medicine, overcoming the consequences of war, rescue, defense industry, etc.
In the coming time, based on documents and agreements signed between the two countries' Ministries of National Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien suggested that the two sides continue to strengthen cooperation and effectively implement a number of contents such as: Exchanging delegations and contacts at all levels, especially at high levels; military-civilian and military-medical cooperation, overcoming the consequences of war, defense industry, border management; effectively implementing the 3-year Cooperation Plan (2025-2027) to implement the peacekeeping Partnership Agreement signed at the end of July 2025; coordinating in multilateral activities, especially within the framework of AD+.MM.
Emphasizing that training cooperation is a foundation in defense relations between the two countries; hoping that the Australian Ministry of National Defense will consider increasing the number of scholarships for university and master's training in some majors that Vietnam has a need for, and welcoming Australia to continue sending soldiers to study Vietnamese at the Academy of Military Sciences and the International Defense Officials course at the National Defense Academy.
At the dialogue, the two sides also discussed the world and regional situation and issues of mutual concern. Senior General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that Vietnam is steadfast in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations; ready to cooperate with countries and international organizations for peace, cooperation and development; persistent in its "four no's" defense policy; Vietnam is determined to resolve all disputes and disagreements in the East Sea by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982); comply with the Declaration on the Southern Sea Conduct (DOC), promote the early completion of negotiations and sign the Code of Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (COC) in a practical, effective and efficient manner.
At the dialogue, Mr. Hugh Jeffrey - Deputy Secretary General of Australian Defense - stated that defense relations are a key pillar in developing relations between the two countries. Hopefully, we will learn more about forms and areas that need to be more closely cooperated in the coming time to overcome common challenges together.
The Australian Deputy Secretary General of Defense agreed with the assessment of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense on defense cooperation between the two countries in the recent past and emphasized the East Sea issue, suggesting that countries should maintain respect for each country's sovereignty, international law and general rules.
At the end of the dialogue, the two sides signed a 3-year cooperation plan for 2025 - 2027.
