Vietnam's Defense Minister Engages in Active Diplomacy to Strengthen Regional Security and Bilateral Cooperation

Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Văn Giang held bilateral meetings with defense leaders from several countries on the sidelines of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China on September 16. These meetings underscored Vietnam's commitment to strengthening regional security cooperation and its active role in the international community. During his meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Khamliang Outhakaysone, Minister Giang and his counterpart highly valued the coordination and implementation of the 2026 cooperation plan between the defense ministries of Vietnam and Laos. Both sides agreed to focus on effectively implementing cooperation, particularly organizing the annual meeting of the defense ministers of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, and witnessing their joint search and rescue exercise. They also agreed to coordinate the planning and execution of activities commemorating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations (September 5, 2027) and the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty (July 18, 2027), ensuring these events are meaningful and have broad impact. In discussions with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Tea Seiha, Minister Giang emphasized that the achievements in bilateral defense cooperation are a result of the efforts of both states and armies for common development, expressing hope for more effective cooperation. He proposed that both defense ministries undertake practical activities to mark the significant occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. Minister Giang also requested continued support from Cambodia in the search and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese experts and volunteer soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Cambodia, contributing to the "500-day and night" campaign. Minister Tea Seiha praised Minister Giang's forum speech, noting it conveyed Vietnam's determination and responsibility in addressing common issues. Meeting with Singapore's Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing, Minister Giang expressed pleasure at the increasingly substantive and effective defense cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore, particularly in areas such as high-level exchanges, maintaining the Defense Policy Dialogue mechanism, consultations, information sharing, inter-service cooperation, maritime security, training, young officer exchanges, and mutual support in multilateral forums. Both sides agreed to focus on implementing cooperation with high quality and effectiveness based on signed agreements, with an immediate priority on successfully organizing the 17th Defense Policy Dialogue in Singapore. Minister Giang extended an invitation to Singapore's defense leaders and military enterprises to participate in the 3rd Vietnam International Defence Expo in Hanoi in December. In a courtesy call with Major General Stephan Willer, Deputy Director of the Defense Policy Department of the German Federal Ministry of Defence, Minister Giang highlighted the positive development of Vietnam-Germany defense cooperation, especially in peacekeeping, training, and delegation exchanges, including high-level visits. He stated that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge for Germany to enhance cooperation within ASEAN. Major General Willer highly appreciated Minister Giang's speech at the forum's plenary session and thanked him for inviting German companies to the upcoming defense expo, indicating a study of potential new cooperation areas. These engagements reflect Vietnam's strategic focus on regional stability and cooperation, leveraging both multilateral and bilateral avenues to enhance its influence. Amidst growing regional security challenges, deepening defense ties with neighboring countries is a crucial pillar of Vietnam's security strategy.