(VOVworld) – Counter-terrorism was the main focus of the 5th International Security Conference that concluded in Moscow on Thursday, attended by 500 delegates from 80 countries, research institutions, and international organizations. Other themes include military cooperation for global security and the situation in Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Central Asia. In his opening speech on Wednesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu highlighted the need for counter-terrorism in the current context and reviewed Russia’s relations with NATO and countries around the world.
The Vietnamese delegates were led by Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich, who delivered a speech on joint efforts to achieve Asia Pacific peace, cooperation, and development. He asserted Vietnam’s principle of pursuing its national interests in line with international law and on a basis of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit. Lich repeated Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, diversification and multilateralization of relations, international integration, and being a reliable partner of all countries as well as a responsible member of the international community. Vietnam follows a national defense policy of peace, self-defense, not harming other countries’ interests, and resolving differences and disputes peacefully while respecting international laws.
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| Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich speaks at the conference. (Photo: VNA) |
He said strengthening Russia’s position in Asia-Pacific is not a temporary policy but a strategic decision.
Lich said: “Asia Pacific is large enough for regional countries to live in peace together and reap great strategic benefits. Vietnam hopes that all regional countries, including world powers like Russia, will promote their role of maintaining regional security towards building a peaceful, stable, and developed Asia Pacific region. Let’s work together for Asia Pacific’s peace and prospects”