Vietnamese Defence Minister General Ngô Xuân Lịch speaks at the seventh MCIS in Moscow, Russia on April 5. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Trí

MOSCOW — The Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS) has contributed to maintaining and promoting peace, stability and security in Asia-Pacific and the world, said Vietnamese Defence Minister General Ngô Xuân Lịch.

Addressing the seventh MCIS in Moscow, Russia on April 5, General Lịch talked about multilateral mechanisms in Asia-Pacific and collective actions against emerging challenges and threats.

He said the region is facing risks to its stability, with global issues, including traditional and non-traditional security challenges such as the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula, territorial water sovereignty disputes, weapons of mass destruction, racial and religious conflicts, terrorism, cyber security, natural disasters, diseases and adverse impacts of the fourth industrial revolution, among others.

“However, we would be optimistic about good things brought about by multi-class, multi-sector co-operation, both bilateral and multilateral,” he said.

The officer highlighted the fruitful bilateral relations between Việt Nam and Russia in the region, along with co-operation mechanisms led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) like the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

Efforts made by a single country cannot address such challenges, instead connectivity and joint efforts of the entire region are needed, with the army playing the key role, he stressed.

General Lịch also lauded Russia’s contributions to regional peace and stability, particularly within the framework of the ADMM+, calling on the country to carry forward its role in Asia-Pacific, step up friendship with ASEAN member countries, and work with the group to maintain the balance in the region, prevent conflicts and wars, and reduce the arms race.

He affirmed that Việt Nam persistently pursues a policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, and being a trustworthy partner of all countries, and a responsible member of the international community. 

Việt Nam advocates handling disputes, including the East Sea dispute, by peaceful measures on the basis of international law and regional commitments, he said.

The seventh MCIS took place from April 4-5 themed ‘Middle East outlook after eradication of ISIS in Syria’. More than 850 delegates from 95 countries attended the event. — VNS