(VOVworld)-Vietnam and Australia have pledged to work closely with each other to bring bilateral diplomatic and defense cooperation to a new height. The 2 sides made the commitment at a strategic dialogue in Canberra co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh and Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and their Australian counterparts. The 2 sides discussed regional and international issues and voiced support for ASEAN’s central role in forming a regional cooperative mechanism. The senior officials stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safe navigation in the East Sea and of settling all disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law. They agreed to maintain this dialogue mechanism to consolidate mutual trust and understanding. The next meeting will take place in Hanoi next year.