Minister of National Defence Ngo Xuan Lich (R) welcomes Philippine Secretary of National Defence Delfin Lorenzana in Hanoi, March 11, 2019. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich chaired a ceremony to welcome Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana in Hanoi on Monday. The two ministers held that bilateral defense relations have seen positive development in all realms, particularly deputy-ministerial level defense policy dialogues, joint working groups on defense, and bilateral navy consultations. The Philippine Secretary pledged to support Vietnam in hosting military-defense conferences and activities when Vietnam takes over the ASEAN Chair in 2020.

The two sides pledged to boost cooperation in key fields, such as exchanges among young officers, the defense industry, non-traditional security, air forces, and military medicine.