Viet Nam wants stronger ASEAN-Japan defence ties

Japanese Vice Defence Minister Akinori Eto delivers speech at ASEAN–Japan defence cooperation conference in Tokyo. —Photo vov.vn

TOKYO (VNS)- Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh has expressed his hope that ASEAN member nations and Japan will enhance links to ensure maritime security and comply with international law.

At the fourth deputy-ministerial level ASEAN–Japan defence cooperation conference in Tokyo on March 13, Vinh said countries should adopt a proper awareness of regional security, especially the interpretation and application of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and standardise behaviour to international law in an open and transparent manner to ensure maritime security and safety as well as peace in the region.

Major General Vu Tien Trong, Head of the Institute for Defence International Relations, said the event focuses its discussion on the emerging risks of maritime disputes, which require settlement via cooperation based on international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.

Participants at the event hailed Vietnam 's role and contributions to regional defence and security cooperation over the past time.

The Brunei delegation, chair of ASEAN for 2013, expressed its hope to learn from Vietnam 's experience in hosting ASEAN security conferences.

At a reception for ASEAN and its Secretariat representatives, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed that the event will enhance capacity and practical defence links between ASEAN and Japan in the future.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe poses with senior defence officials from ASEAN countries for a photo at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on March 12, 2013.— Photo AFP/VNA

Japan pledges to work actively and responsibly within the framework of cooperation mechanisms like the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus, Abe said.

Japan also vowed to improve capacity, along with ASEAN member nations, to cope with non-traditional security challenges for a region of peace and stability.

On the sidelines of the two-day event, held on the occasion of the 40 th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation, bilateral meetings between country representatives and the fourth seminar on security issues were also organised.-VNS