Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives visiting US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in Hanoi on November 20, 2019 (Photo: VNA)

The Prime Minister praised outcomes of talks between the two Defense Ministries and asked for the US continued support in overcoming the war consequences, dioxin detoxification in Bien Hoa airport, UN peace keeping force and humanitarian operations. He called for close cooperation with the US during the ASEAN Chairmanship by Vietnam next year, especially in the ASEAN-US forum. Secretary Esper pledged more cooperation in the search for missing Vietnamese soldiers in the war, dioxin detoxification, and assistance for people with disabilities. He praised bilateral comprehensive partnership with Vietnam.  

Earlier the same day, Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich held talks with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. The two sides exchanged views on issues of shared concern and stressed the importance of maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development.

They agreed to step up cooperation in accordance with the contents of the memorandum of understanding on promoting defense collaboration signed in 2011, the joint vision statement on defense cooperation inked in 2015 and the cooperation plan for 2018-2020, focusing on high-ranking delegation exchange, consultation and dialogue mechanisms and joint work to address post-war consequences.

Both said they will jointly implement the project on dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa airport, search and rescue, disaster relief and humanitarian aid, maritime security, military medicine, and English language training. The two sides will also research the demand for cooperation in defense industry, and UN peace-keeping operations.