Vietnam, Japan boost defence ties

The visit of Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera to Vietnam is of great significance to boost the strategic partnership between the two countries, especially ties between two defense ministries, said Vietnamese Defense Minister Phung Qugang Thanh on Monday. Minister Phung Quang Thanh made the remarks during talks with his Japanese counterpart in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Monday. During the meeting, Thanh expressed his belief that the visit will be a milestone to mark a broader and more intensive level in the bilateral cooperation between the two defense ministries. The two ministers discussed defense policies in their respective country and cooperation directions in the future and other regional and international issues of mutual concern. The two sides pledged to actively instruct relevant agencies to fully and effectively implement the agreements signed, focusing on personnel training and delegation exchange, as well as maintaining and promoting defense policy dialogue mechanism at deputy- ministerial level and staff-officer level. The Japanese minister, for his part, said defense cooperation between the two countries has been implemented synchronously, effectively and intensively in all fields based on the memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation signed by the two defence ministries in 2011. On the occasion, the Vietnamese defense minister proposed Japan to provide equipment and technologies to help Vietnam deal with post-war consequences, particularly delayed explosive ordinances and toxic chemicals. During his stay in Vietnam, Onodera planned to visit the Commando Officer School under the Commando Arm and the Region 4 Naval Command. Onodera's visit to Vietnam, the first in his position as Japanese defense minister, was made at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Phung Quang Thanh and at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The country is the first leg of his five-day tour to Vietnam and Thailand starting on Sunday to boost cooperation on maritime security.