Deputy Minister of Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyễn Chí Vịnh welcomes Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence Vice Admiral Agus Setiadji in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – Deputy Minister of Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyễn Chí Vịnh and Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence Vice Admiral Agus Setiadji co-chaired the first Việt Nam - Indonesia Defence Policy Dialogue in Hà Nội yesterday.
The two shared information on defence policies, while discussing the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, the cooperation within the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM Plus, and preparations for Việt Nam’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2020.
They talked of their delight at the bilateral defence partnership over the years, especially in personnel training, information sharing and cooperation between armed forces.
They  agreed to continue exchanging delegations, improving the efficiency of existing dialogue mechanisms, strengthening cooperation activities among armed forces, and seeking ways to collaborate in defence industry.
The two countries will continue coordinating with and supporting each other at multilateral forums.
Regarding the illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing issue, the Vietnamese side noted many Vietnamese fishermen’s awareness of the law remains limited, leading to regrettable violations of Indonesian law. 
Vinh underlined the need to deal with the matter in line with international law as well as the laws of Indonesia and Vietnam.
Việt Nam has also directed the coast guard to give similar settlements to violations of foreign fishermen without arresting and damaging their fishing tools.
The official proposed the two sides cope with the issue in the same way, avoiding adversely affecting the friendship.
The Vietnamese side also proposed a number of measures to enhance bilateral ties, including building coordination mechanisms at different levels between the two defence ministries, navy and coast guard.
The two countries should set up and effectively operate a hotline, while strengthening cooperation in diverse methods, such as joint patrols, legal experience exchanges, joint exercises to stop smuggling and illegal fishing, along with researching sea environment and legal communications for fishermen, the Vietnamese side proposed.
Defence Minister, General Ngô Xuân Lịch also hosted a reception for Vice Admiral Agus Setiadji. General Lịch praised the defence cooperation between the two ministries, especially after the signing of a Joint Vision on Defence Cooperation between 2017-2022.
He spoke highly of the establishment of the Việt Nam-Indonesia Defence Dialogue, which marks a new chapter in the partnership between the ministries.
This is a highly practical mechanism which creates good conditions for leaders of both countries to share their views on the global and regional situations of mutual concern, while reviewing the bilateral defence cooperation outcomes and seeking new measures to strengthen ties.
General Lịch suggested that in the future, the two sides continue maintaining dialogue to continue effectively implementing agreements.
Vice Admiral Agus Setiadji expressed his delight at the friendship and all-round cooperation between the two countries over the past year, including defence partnership.
The official highlighted the role of the newly-established defence dialogue in boosting ties.
He informed the host of the results of the first dialogue, showing his belief the defence collaboration between the two countries would continue to thrive in the future.
The Indonesian official agreed with the proposals over fishermen issues.— VNS