Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich

The meetings were held on the sidelines of the 18th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. 

At a meeting with the US Acting Defense Secretary, the two sides highlighted the development of bilateral cooperation saying it has contributed to maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world. Minister Ngo Xuan Lich asked the US to continue its cooperation with Vietnam to finalize the dioxin clean project at Bien Hoa airport and help Vietnam to deploy the level-2 field hospital and the Engineers’ Company for the UN peacekeeping mission.

At separate meetings with Defense Ministers of the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, and Mongolia, the two sides agreed to work closely to further defense cooperation. Minister Lich urged the UK to continue to help teaching English for Vietnamese military servicemen.

At meetings with Ministers of Defense of France and New Zealand, the two sides promised to strengthen bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of their strength. Minister Lich also had a sideline meeting with EU High Commissioner on Security Policy and External Affairs Federica Mogherini and Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan ways to boost defense ties in the near future.