Paris(VNA) – Vietnamese Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich and his French counterpartFlorence Parly signed a joint vision statement on defence cooperation for 2018-2028at their talks in Paris on September 17 as part of the former’s ongoing visitto France.

During the talks, MinisterParly affirmed that her country highly values the role of Vietnam in the regionand the world, and attaches great importance to developing bilateral ties withthe Southeast Asian country.

Minister Lich saidthat his visit is part of activities to mark the 45th anniversary ofdiplomatic ties between Vietnam and France and five years of the bilateralstrategic partnership. It aims to realise outcomes of the official visit by GeneralSecretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong to France in Marchthis year, he said.

The minister showedhis delight at the comprehensive and effective development in bilateralrelations in all fields, including politics-diplomacy, economy-trade,defence-security, culture, education, science, justice and health care.

At the talks, the twosides shared their views on regional and international matters of sharedconcern.

The French DefenceMinister stated that France shared the stance with many countries on the needto ensure maritime and overflight security, safety and freedom on thefoundation of international law.

She added that Francewill continue making contributions to the maintenance of an environment ofpeace, stability and development in areas in which the country has interests.

The two ministersagreed that all disputes must be settled peacefully in line with internationallaw, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

Minister Lich declaredthat France is an important partner of Vietnam, adding that Vietnam highlyappreciates the role of France in the world arena, and supports the Europeancountry in strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnership with the ASEANas well as joining ASEAN mechanisms.

Vietnam hopes thatFrance will continue to actively contribute to peace, stability and developmentin the region where the ASEAN is playing the central role, he stated.

Thetwo ministers highly valued the positive developments in the Vietnam-Francedefence cooperation in recent times, stressing that the defence ties are one ofthe pillars of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Since the two sides signed the Vietnam-France agreement on defence cooperationin 2009, the bilateral defence ties have achieved important results.

Especially, after Vietnam and France upgraded their relations to StrategicPartnership, the two countries have paid more attention to promoting theirdefence collaboration, and reached practical results in terms of exchange ofstrategic views, training, and UN peace-keeping operation participation,defence industry, and military medicine.

The two sides agreed to improve the efficiency of existing coopetrationmechanisms and seek ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of theirstrengths and those of common concern in the coming time.

The ministers signed a joint vision statement on defence cooperation in2018-2028, and an agreement on amending the Vietnam-France cooperation agreementsigned in 2009.

They said the joint vision statement aims to deepen the defence bond, thuspromoting the Vietnam-France Strategic Partnership; and affirmed their goodwillto continue promoting cooperation in a long-term and effective manner based onrespect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and laws of eachcountry.

Through the statement, Vietnam and France want to promote common concerns, thusreinforcing and stepping up mutual trust towards expanding cooperation,maintaining security and stability in the region and the world; ensuring thecompliance of international law, freedom of travel on land, sea and air routes;and coping with non-traditional security threats, with the impact caused byclimate change and environmental degradation for security taken into account.

To well implement the above-mentioned cooperationorientations, the two sides will maintain regular visits and meetings at alllevels; increase high-level exchanges and diversify mechanisms for bilateralconsultations on international and regional security issues of mutual concern.

The two countries will intensify cooperation and mutualsupport at multilateral organisations and forums and foster bilateral andmultilateral partnership to contribute to promoting peace and security in eachregion.

They also agreed to support each other in capacitybuilding and share experience in peacekeeping operations and strengthencollaboration in the fields of defence industry, military medicine andhydrography.

The two sides will focus on enhancing cooperation inmaritime security and safety as well as non-traditional security issues; andexchanging experience and seeking new opportunities to cooperate inenvironmental security.

The two ministers emphasised their desire to bolstercooperation in the defence industry which will stay in line with the needs ofVietnam and strengths of France. Minister Lich said the Vietnamese Ministry ofNational Defence will facilitate defence enterprises from France to look foropportunity in Vietnam.

He noted that the signing of the joint vision statementwill take the bilateral defence cooperation to a new height, contributing todeepening ties between the two nations. –VNA