2014 Vietnam - US Defence Policy Dialogue
A defence policy dialogue between Vietnam and the US took place in Hanoi on October 21.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence, while the US delegation was headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia Amy Searight.
At the event, the two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of common concern and reviewed the implementation of a memorandum of understanding on bilateral defence cooperation, especially in the fields of missing in action (MIA) searching; bomb, mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance; and Agent Orange/dioxin clean-up.
They emphasised the need to increase collaboration in new areas such as human resources training, joining UN peacekeeping missions, and cooperation in army medicine, natural disaster relief, and search and rescue.
The same day, the US guests were received by Minister of National Defence Gen. Phung Quang Thanh, who affirmed that the outcomes of the dialogue will help consolidate and strengthen the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the US.
Searight said she hopes that the two countries’ defence relations will further thrive in the future, contributing to maintaining peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large.-VNA
