Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang at the online talks with Japanese Defence Minister Kishi Nobuo on June 3 (Source: VNA)

The two ministers discussed the regional and international situation and informed each other about their respective countries’ efforts to prevent and control COVID-19. They also highly valued Vietnamese and Japanese military medicine experts sharing knowledge and experience in the pandemic response via teleconferences.

Japanese Defence Minister Kishi Nobuo at the online talks with his Vietnamese counterpart on June 3 (Source: VNA)

They agreed to carry out bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation activities as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control, with priority given to all-level meetings and UN peacekeeping operations; effectively maintain the dialogue and consultation mechanisms among the staff of the countries’ naval, infantry, and air forces; organise exchanges among the naval, air, and coast guard forces; and hold capacity improvement programmes.

The officials also emphasised on the need to sign an agreement on the transfer of defence equipment and technology between the Vietnamese and Japanese governments soon.

Prior to the online talks, Giang had a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio.