Vietnam, Thailand hold defense policy dialogue

(Bqp.vn) - On December 13, in Hanoi, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Defense Minister and General Sanitchanog Sangkachantra, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Thailand, co-chaired the 5th Vietnam - Thailand Defense Policy Dialogue.

At the event, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that 2023 marks a significant milestone as the two countries commemorate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their strategic partnership. In recent times, the Vietnam - Thailand strategic partnership has been continuously developing in a substantial, comprehensive, and trustworthy manner. The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense always desires to enhance comprehensive cooperation with the Ministry of Defense of Thailand and the Royal Thai Armed Forces to further promote bilateral defense relations.

During the dialogue.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien congratulated Thailand on the successful organization of the 24th ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting, which contributed to strengthening trust among the armies of ASEAN member states and the central role of ASEAN. Vietnam highly appreciates Thailand’s role and contributions within the framework of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus mechanisms. Vietnam also expresses gratitude to Thailand for supporting and participating in the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition in 2022 and the ASEAN Military Volleyball Championship in 2023.

During the dialogue, both sides shared their perspectives on the global and regional situation and acknowledged the role of the region and the mechanisms led by ASEAN. They affirmed their joint efforts to actively contribute to enhancing and consolidating the unity and central role of ASEAN in the regional security structure, emphasizing the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means based on international laws.

Both sides evaluated the defense cooperation over the past time, which has been actively implemented by the relevant agencies and units, and achieved commendable results in various areas, including exchange of delegations at all levels, maintaining effective cooperation mechanisms, training, etc.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien speaking at the dialogue.

Regarding the direction of future cooperation, both sides agreed to continue their efforts to promote the increasingly developed defense cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand, in line with the enhanced strategic partnership between the two countries. The focus will be on strengthening the trusted relationship between the two defense ministries, enhancing exchange of delegations at all levels, maintaining the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, including the defense policy dialogue. Timely consultations and sharing of perspectives on common concerns and the direction of substantive and effective cooperation will also be emphasized.

They also agreed to expand cooperation in potential areas that align with the needs and strengths of each sides, such as logistics, military medicine, non-traditional security challenges (cybersecurity, counterterrorism, transnational crime), search and rescue, etc.

General Sanitchanog Sangkachantra speaking at the dialogue.

On this occasion, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien cordially invited the leaders of the Ministry of Defense and Thai enterprises to participate in the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition in 2024.