Viet Nam attends ASEAN-EU defence officials' dialogue

A Vietnamese delegation attended a Defence Officials' Dialogue between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union in Brussels, Belgium, which ended yesterday.

Participants, including defence and diplomatic officials from ASEAN member countries, the European Union, and the ASEAN's dialogue partners, focused on discussing maritime security and the role of the armed forces in disaster relief operations.

They also exchanged measures to boost mutual understanding and trust through the ASEAN Regional Forum on defence and to intensify cooperation in the defence industry with the European Union.

Representing the Vietnamese delegation, Deputy Director of the Defence Ministry's Institute of International Relations Colonel Nguyen Thanh Dong delivered a speech on ensuring maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region, where a number of traditional and non-traditional security issues, including territorial disputes, relational conflicts, terrorism, and trans-national crime, as well as food security, are posing challenges to all neighbouring countries.

Territorial disputes in the East Sea and the East China Sea are complex, Dong noted, adding that to avoid clashes, the ASEAN has implemented many initiatives, such as setting up hotlines, pledging not to use force, and strictly obeying the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea to gain the early approval of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

As a coastal country, Viet Nam always takes the initiative and is ready to participate in sea-related co-operative activities. The country also maintains a consistent focus on resolving all disputes through peaceful measures, with respect for international law, he added.