Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh held talks with visiting US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter in Hanoi on Monday

(VOVworld)- Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh held talks with visiting US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter in Hanoi on Monday, during which both sides agreed to further bilateral defense ties. US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter praised Vietnam’s cooperation in searching for US soldiers missing in action. They expressed their hope to further strengthen defense ties on the basis of respecting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each nation, not affecting other countries, and contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world. The two sides agreed on measures to boost bilateral cooperation focusing on overcoming the war’s aftermaths in Vietnam including the clearance of mines, bombs and unexploded ordnance, the decontamination of dioxin and the search for soldiers missing in action and assistance to war victims. They two sides issued a joint vision statement on defense cooperation to strengthen bilateral friendship, mutual trust and understanding and deepen the comprehensive partnership for both sides’ benefit.

The Joint Vision Statement also looks to extend bilateral cooperation in defense. During his stay, the US Secretary of Defence will meet with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Truong Tan Sang, and also visit a number of military units of the Vietnam People’s Army.