Vietnam, Australia vow to boost defense ties Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defense Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh is seen in this photo illustration. Tuoi Tre Vietnam and Australia pledged to boost diplomatic and defense ties at their second strategic dialogue at the deputy ministerial level on diplomatic policy and defense issues held in Hanoi on Monday. The event was co-chaired by both sides. Representing Vietnam were Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defense, and Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh. The Australian side was represented by Australian Deputy Foreign Secretary Gillian Bird and First Assistant Secretary of International Policy in the Australian Department of Defense Neil Orme. After briefing each other about their respective situation of defense and diplomacy, the two sides affirmed their support for efforts to strengthen cooperation, dialogue, reconciliation, and trust building, and contribute to maintain peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific area. They also informed each other about their priorities in their diplomatic and defense policies and shared views on non-traditional security issues such as human trafficking, climate change and network security. Both the host and guest affirmed that over the past years, the defense cooperation between the two countries has been developed very well, particularly since the Memorandum of Understanding on National Defense Cooperation was signed in 2010. They reached consensus on boosting cooperation in delegation exchanges, education and training, maritime security, anti-terrorism, sharing experience in conducting UN peacekeeping activities, network and water resource security, and dealing with post-war aftermath of bombs and mines. The officials of both sides also discussed regional and international issued of mutual concern. They pledged to work together at multilateral forums, contributing to the peace and stability in the region and world. Regarding the East Sea issues, the dialogue emphasized the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security and maritime safety in the sea area. The two sides agreed that all parties should settle disputes in peaceful means based on the international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and strictly abide by the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and work towards the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) soon. TUOITRENEWS