Vietnamese Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich at the Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS) (Photo: Phuong Hoa/ VNA)

Addressing the seventh MCIS in Moscow on Thursday, General Lich talked about multilateral mechanisms in Asia-Pacific and collective actions against emerging challenges and threats. He said the region is facing threats to its stability, with global issues, including traditional and non-traditional security challenges such as nuclear tests on the Korean peninsula, maritime sovereignty disputes, weapons of mass destruction, racial and religious conflicts, terrorism, cyber attacks, natural disasters, among others.

General Lich applauded Russia’s contributions to regional peace and stability, and called on Russia to carry forward its role in Asia-Pacific, step up cooperation and friendship with ASEAN countries, and work with the group to maintain the balance in the region.