Results of Vietnam-Singapore defence cooperation under scrutiny

Chien highlighted 2023 as a special year when both nations celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and 10 years of the strategic partnership, based on which defence cooperation has become increasingly substantive and effective.

Echoing the view, Chang stated bilateral defence cooperation has substantially contributed to the strategic partnership, and that defence ties have continued to see strong development, especially since the signing of the agreement on bilateral defence cooperation in February 2022 and the cooperation plan for 2023 - 2025 in November the same year.

At the dialogue, both sides compared notes on international and regional situations and issues of shared concern. They greatly valued the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ASEAN-led mechanisms.

Chien underscored Vietnam’s unwavering foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, along with the “four no’s” defence policy – no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign military bases or use of the Vietnamese territory to oppose other countries, and no use of force or threat to use force in international relations.

With regard to the East Sea issue, Vietnam’s consistent viewpoint is to persistently resolve differences by peaceful means and on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he added.

The two officials said that on the basis of the signed documents and agreements, bilateral defence cooperation has continued to be carried out effectively and achieved positive results, especially all-level mutual visits, effectively maintained consultation and dialogue mechanisms, training cooperation, experience and information sharing, exchanges of young officers, and cooperation between military services and arms.

They consented to keep stepping up efforts to promote defence ties in the time ahead, with a focus on intensifying delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high levels, to consult with each other and share viewpoints on issues of common concern and cooperation orientations in a timely manner; continuing to perfect cooperation frameworks and mechanisms; and boosting personnel training and collaboration between the countries’ naval and air forces.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen partnerships in potential areas such as cybersecurity, digital transformation, military medicine, defence industry, and legal affairs while continuing to consult with and offer mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms led by ASEAN so as to make important contributions to  reinforcing ASEAN’s centrality.

On this occasion, Chien invited leaders of the Singaporean Ministry of Defence and businesses from the city island state to attend the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024.

Concluding the dialogue, the two officials witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief between the Office of the National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response, Search and Rescue of Vietnam and the Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre of Singapore.