Asia

Home page

Asia

Vietnam, U.S. hold 3rd political, security and defense dialogue

08 June 2010 18:59 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Vietnam and the United States held the third political, security and defense dialogue here on Tuesday, said Vietnamese Standing Vice Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at a press briefing here, APA reports quoting news.xinhuanet.com websirte.

The dialogue, an annual meeting of the two countries on political and security issues of mutual and regional interest, drew officials in charge of foreign affairs, security and defense of both nations, said Minh.

The dialogue was held at a time when Vietnam and the United States are celebrating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

It would help strengthen and further enhance friendship and cooperation between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect and with a common goal of a Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific region of peace, stability and security, he said.

During the dialogue, the two sides discussed a variety of issues including regional and global security situation, non- proliferation, counterterrorism, drug-related crimes, transnational crimes, disaster relief, maritime security, search and rescue, ship visits, and peacekeeping.

The two countries also considered ways to further cooperate in searching for each other’s missing persons from the wartime and dealing with the Agent Orange issues.

"We have a quite productive discussion today", said the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew J. Shapiro at the press briefing.

The dialogue is an important opportunity to strengthen and broaden relations between Vietnam and the United States, said Shapiro.

"We are optimistic that the two countries’ relations will continue to deepen and grow", he said.