Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich and his Canadian counterpart Harjit Singh Sajjan signs a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation, Ottawa, May 6, 2019.  (Photo: VNA)

Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich met his Canadian counterpart Harjit Singh Sajjan in Ottawa on Monday as part of the first official visit to Canada by a Vietnamese defense minister since the two countries set up diplomatic ties in 1973. Minister Sajjan said Canada has an interest in the Pacific ocean and will cooperate with relevant countries to contribute to peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region. 

The two ministers stressed that any  maritime territorial and sovereignty disputes including those in the East Sea must be addressed by peaceful means and on the basis of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). They underlined the need for parties involved to soon reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The ministers agreed to enhance collaboration in dialogues, consultations, personnel training, peacekeeping operations, defense industry, cyber security, search and rescue operations, and maritime security. Vietnam welcomes Canadian naval ships to pay friendly visits and engage in joint activities with Vietnam like search and rescue operations and the practice of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES). The ministers agreed to  work toward the future cooperation in law enforcement between the coast guards of the two countries. 

Vietnam backs Canada to become a responsible partner in defense in ASEAN and hopes that the country will make more contributions to peace, friendship and cooperation in the region and the world at large, Mr. Lich said. 

After talks, the ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation.