On December 4, in Tokyo, Japan, the first Deputy Foreign Ministers - Defense Ministers of Vietnam - Japan (2+2) took place.
The Vietnamese delegation was co-chaired by Mr. Nguyen Minh Vu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Minister of National Defense.
The Japanese delegation was co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Namazu Hiroyuki and Deputy Defense Minister Kano Koji. The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministries of National Defense of Vietnam and Japan.
At the dialogue, the two sides highly appreciated the strong development of Vietnam - Japan relations, emphasizing that Vietnam and Japan have high strategic trust; shared common vision and viewpoints on many regional and international issues.
The two sides agreed that defense cooperation is an important pillar in the Vietnam - Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is being widely implemented, including regular dialogue - consultation at all levels, information sharing, training, coaching, capacity building, etc.
Speaking at the dialogue, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien reaffirmed Vietnam's "four no's" defense policy, emphasizing that Vietnam's National Defense is a national defense, of a peaceful and self-defense nature; proactive, proactive, determined, persistent in preventing and repelling the risk of war.
The consistent goal of Vietnam's defense is to firmly protect the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Fatherland; protect national and ethnic interests; maintain political stability and a peaceful environment to build and develop the country; demonstrate noble international responsibility and obligations, and wish to contribute to peace, prosperity and common development cooperation in the region and the world.
Vietnam promotes defense cooperation with other countries with the aim of strengthening friendship, cooperation and development for peace and stability of each country as well as the region and the world. Vietnam always focuses on building human resources, modernizing weapons and military equipment to serve the purpose of protecting the Fatherland and protecting peace.
Vietnam always wishes to expand cooperation with all countries, including Japan, a country with developed science, technology, and engineering, thereby enhancing the capacity of the defense industry in the direction of self-reliance, self-reliance, dual use, and modernity.
Regarding the East Sea issue, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that Vietnam is deeply concerned about the complicated situation in the East Sea in recent times. Vietnam's consistent viewpoint is to resolve all disputes and disagreements in the East Sea by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, including UNCLOS 1982.
For a peaceful, friendly and cooperative East Sea, forces operating at sea need to restrain themselves, avoid actions that increase tension and complicate the situation, treat fishermen humanely, build trust, and promote substantive cooperation on the basis of international law.
Regarding the defense industry, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien suggested that the two sides continue to have specific, substantial and effective projects. In particular, after the Dialogue, the two countries' Ministries of National Defense will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on rescue, creating an important basis to promote cooperation between the two sides in the coming time.
