(VOVworld) – Vietnam and the US reviewed bilateral military and defense cooperation at the Vietnam-US defense dialogue at the ministerial level which ended Tuesday in Washington.

Vietnam and the US hold the 4th defense dialogue. (Photo: VOV)

At the 2-day dialogue, defense officials exchanged notes on regional security, maritime freedom, safety, and security, and threats to regional peace and stability. The two sides shared a stance on peaceful settlement of issues related to maritime safety and security and sea disputes in East Asia and Southeast Asia through diplomatic negotiations with respect for international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and agreements between ASEAN and China. They highlighted the development of defense cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+), which they considered a newly emerging security structure in need of further improvements.

The US applauded Vietnam’s role in multilateral and regional cooperation, expressing its hope for closer relations with Vietnam and other ASEAN members to build trust and strengthen cooperation. US representatives praised Vietnam’s intention to officially participate in the UN peace keeping force while pledging US assistance for Vietnam in this effort. The US thanked the Vietnamese Government, people, and army for their support in locating the remains of US servicemen who died in the Vietnam war, calling it a symbol of humanitarian cooperation. The US promised its continued support for Vietnam in dioxin decontamination, unexploded ordnance deactivation, search and rescue operations, and natural disaster mitigation, and said it is ready to promote coast guard cooperation and provide military training and international education programs.

Vietnam and the US sign coast guard cooperation deal. (Photo: VOV)

The US Department of Defense and the ASEAN Defense Ministers are expected to meet in early April next year in Hawaii to discuss regional security and future defense cooperation. The US urged the Vietnamese Defense Ministry to attend the meeting, noting that the US Defense Secretary is scheduled to visit Vietnam next year.