A pre-recorded speech by Defence Minister General Phan Văn Giang at the conference. — Photo baochinhphu.vn

 HÀ NỘI — A delegation of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) led by Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the VPA Sen. Lieut. Gen. Ngô Minh Tiến attended the 10th Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS-10) that opened in Russia on Tuesday (local time).

Defence Minister General Phan Văn Giang also sent a pre-recorded speech to the second session of the conference, calling the MCIS an important multilateral forum for countries to exchange views on strategic issues directly relating to regional and international security, thus helping promote dialogue and enhance cooperation between countries, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world as well.

Pointing to uncertainties in the region which have impacted regional security architecture, Giang said there have been ASEAN-led mechanisms and forums like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), the ADMM Plus and the ASEAN Maritime Forum.

The mechanisms and forums, together with other multilateral forums such as the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum and the MCIS have promoted mutual understanding and dialogue, towards cooperation in handling conflicts and differences through peaceful measures, the minister said.

He suggested countries build political trust to deal with regional security challenges which requires time, patience and regular efforts.

Notably, all activities aiming to build political trust should match the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law and regional commitments, the minister continued.

Giang said that Việt Nam has made efforts, together with other countries in and outside the region, to devise and implement cooperation mechanisms and fully participate in regional multilateral forums.

Việt Nam will further contribute to multilateral cooperation mechanisms and work to promote peace and reconciliation and prevent conflicts, he pledged.

Regarding the East Sea issue, he emphasised that Việt Nam persistently pursues the principle of settling disputes and differences by peaceful measures on the basis of respecting independence, sovereignty and legitimate rights of the countries and in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

Việt Nam commits to seriously implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and hopes for an effective, substantial and more legally-binding Code of Conduct (COC), he said.

MCIS-10 brought together 700 delegates from 70 countries and six international organisations. — VNS