Defense officials of Vietnam and the EU hold talks in Hanoi on August 5, 2019. (Photo:mod.gov.vn)

During talks on Monday, Vietnam’s Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich and Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini agreed to promote defense and security cooperation, and protect basic principles and rights in accordance with the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in order to maintain the international system on the basis of principles suitable with the international humanitarian law to which Vietnam and the EU have joined.

They said Vietnam and the EU will beef up collaboration in UN peacekeeping operations, covering capacity building and training through training courses. They agreed to intensify their engagement in protecting freedom of navigation and aviation, and coping with traditional and non-traditional challenges through search and rescue operations and fighting piracy, armed crimes, organized crimes and smugglers in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Vietnamese Defense Ministry backed the EU’s wish to participate in Asia-Pacific defense and security architectures. The EU hoped that Vietnam will make more contributions to peace, stability and development in the region when it assumes the post of the ASEAN Chair in 2020.