Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich and Federica Mogherini, European Commission Vice President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy sign the FPA . (Photo: VNA)

The signing of the marked a milestone in bilateral defence relations, contributing to enhancing and deepening the Vietnam-EU Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA). The FPA lays a foundation for the signing of specific cooperation agreements between the two sides. It paves the way for Vietnam to join humanitarian crisis management activities, based on fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, of which the most important principle is the right to select areas and level of participation compatible with each partner’s external policies, demands, and capability. The agreement also will help the EU increase its cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region.

Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich and Federica Mogherini, European Commission Vice President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, pledged to boost the bilateral defence partnership. The two sides agreed to step up cooperation in areas in which Vietnam has chosen to take part.

Mr. Lich leads the Vietnamese military delegation visiting the EU.