The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Dinh Quy, while the Australian side was headed by Deputy SecretaryDefence People Rebecca Skinner and Deputy Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Gary Quinlan.
The two sides consented to step up cooperation in politics, economy, trade, investment, security,defence, education, training, development support, science, technology, and people-to-people exchanges, particularly increasing collaboration between the ministries of foreign affairs and defence. Australia pledged to support and assist Vietnam in hosting the APEC Year 2017.
Both sides concurred to reinforce coordination at regional organisations and forums such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF), and the ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting Plus (ADMM+).
They expressed their concerns over the emerging traditional and non-traditional security challenges, and stressed the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region.
They underscored the need to strictly abide by international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS), settle any disputes via peaceful means, and respect the diplomatic and legal processes without using or threating to use force.
The countries consented to share information and bolster cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime and terrorism, coping with climate change, and ensuring the security and sustainable use of the Mekong River’s water sources. They agreed to hold the fifth deputy ministerial-level foreign affairs and defence strategic dialogue in Australia next year.
