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High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini met with the Minister of National Defence of Viet Nam General Ngo Xuan Lich

05.08.2019
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High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini met with the Minister of National Defence of Viet Nam General Ngo Xuan Lich

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Today in Hanoi, Her Excellency Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, met with General Ngo Xuan Lich, Minister of National Defence of Viet Nam.

 

During the meeting, the two sides commended the efforts to build a partnership that benefits the socioeconomic development of the European Union and Viet Nam since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1990. These efforts have resulted in the entering into force of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation in 2016, the signature of the European Union – Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) in 2019, which confirms the shared commitment to stepping up efforts in promoting peace and the rule of law through cooperative and multilateral approaches, including in the field of defence and security.

 

The High Representative and the Minister discussed the development of a defence and security cooperation partnership based on international law and a shared commitment; this will be done through continued promotion of cooperative mechanisms and frameworks contributing to global peace, regional stability and development and support the effective implementation of both Viet Nam’s international integration Strategy and the EU’s Global Strategy.

 

This Defence and Security cooperation partnership will promote and protect the fundamental principles and rights as enshrined in the UN Charter and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights contributing to uphold the international rules-based system in compliance with international humanitarian law, to which Viet Nam, the European Union and its Member States are parties; promote effective multilateralism; contribute to regional stability and  promote a peaceful and lasting resolution of conflicts. They commit to work together  to achieve tangible results in addressing shared security challenges, both in Asia and elsewhere, including through the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

 

Regarding cooperation on crisis management, both sides welcome the conclusion of the negotiations of an Agreement establishing a framework for the participation of Viet Nam in European Union crisis managements operations (FPA). The path is now clear towards completing the internal procedures leading to the signature, ratification and full implementation of the Agreement.

 

Both sides will step up cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations, including capacity building and education through participation in training programmes.

 

Both sides will reinforce their engagement in maintaining freedom of navigation, overflight and responding to traditional and non-traditional challenges such as search and rescue, fight against piracy and armed robbery against ships, organized crime and illegal trafficking in compliance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

 

Cooperation in the field of cyber security will drive forward a global, open, free, stable and secure cyberspace. Both sides will share experience on cyber security, including on the Budapest Convention, the application of international law in cyberspace and implementing norms of responsible state behaviour.

 

Cooperation in the field of defence and security will also aim at increasing mutual understanding and awareness, supporting the ASEAN-led regional security architecture and other forms of multilateral security cooperation in Asia, and complementing ongoing regional capacity building, training programmes and collaboration in crisis management.

 

The Ministry of National Defence of Viet Nam supports the EU's ambition to join the Asia-Pacific defence-security architectures. The EU looks forward to Viet Nam's continued contributions to upholding regional peace, stability and development when Viet Nam takes the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2020.

 

In the framework of the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, both sides will establish regular consultations on defence and security, to ensure the effective implementation of their defence and security cooperation partnership.

Category
Joint Press Releases
Location

Hanoi

Editorial sections
Asia
Vietnam
EEAS