(VOVworld) – Minister of National Defence Ngo Xuan Lich met with Cara Abercrombie, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, on Monday, who is in Vietnam to attend the 7^th Vietnam-US defense policy dialogue.

Minister of National Defence Ngo Xuan Lich (R) and Cara Abercrombie, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia(Photo:QDND)

Lich stated that Vietnam wants to cooperate with the US in all fields, particularly in defence for peace, security and safety in the region and in the world. He said room for bilateral cooperation remains extensive, saying both sides should deepen their ties in accordance with a memorandum of understanding signed between Vietnamese and US defence ministries in 2001 and the Vietnam-US Joint Vision Statement in 2015.

The 7^th Vietnam-US defence policy dialogue took place in Hanoi the same day, with both sides looking to enhance ties and multiply cooperative areas. The dialogue was co-chaired by Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and Cara Abercrombie, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia. They both noticed the Vietnam-US defence cooperation is getting more effective in line with the two countries’ comprehensive partnership.
They discussed measures to enhance cooperation in maritime security, law enforcement at sea, humanitarian aid, disaster rescue, military medicine, education, and participation in the UN peacekeeping force. They also talked about the Cooperative Humanitarian and Medical Storage Initiative (CHAMSI). During the visit to Vietnam by President Barrack Obama in May 2016, the US and Vietnam signed a letter of intent to establish a CHAMSI working group, which will advance cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Abercrombie said the US will further supporting Vietnam in searching for martyrs’ remains and tackling unexploded ordnance. Both sides discussed delegation exchanges and cooperation in marine security, humanitarian aid, UN peacekeeping mission and education. On regional and international issues, Abercrombie said the US will not change its Asia-Pacific rebalance strategy and continue implementing its commitments to the region.