Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh at the conference to review 2014 defence diplomacy tasks (source: qdnd.vn)

It is anticipated that the global and regional situation in 2015 continues to be complex and unpredictable; strategic rivalry among major powers will be  intensive. The ASEAN Community (based on 3 pillars) will come into being; thus, our country will have great opportunities but face many difficulties and challenges intertwined. In this context, defence diplomacy should have a thorough grasp of Party’s guidelines and views on diplomacy, and comprehensive implementation of its work with the main points as follows:

Firstly, the whole armed forces should thoroughly grasp guidelines on foreign relations, seriously and effectively performing tasks of foreign relations, thus, creating the unity between awareness and action, raising the capacity of situation’s assessment and anticipation, flexibly applying Party’s guidelines on foreign relations to properly handle sensitive and complex issues in international relations concerning defence field.

Secondly, bilateral and multilateral defence diplomacy should be promoted proactively, economically, practically, and effectively. Diversifying bilateral defence relations with a priority given to bordering neighbors, unceasingly consolidating mutual understanding to increase consensus while decrease dissent. Besides, great importance should be attached to improving relations with regional countries, promoting in-depth and effective cooperation; making a breakthrough to further strengthen our relations with major powers and developed countries following appropriate steps, avoiding being abused causing disadvantages to defence and security; at the same time, consolidating our relations with traditional friends to build strong and comprehensive support. Defence relations with partners, particularly strategic partners and comprehensive strategic partners should be further reinforced, making the relations in-depth and stable, bolstering confidence; focusing on concretizing and building action plans and implementation mechanisms for the framework of relations and cooperation; reviewing the implementation of signed cooperative agreements with our partners, which are based on the mechanisms of bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit.

Additionally, multilateral defence cooperation, especially the mechanism of cooperation in ASEAN should be enhanced. It is necessary to actively take part in multilateral forums, proposing initiatives and pronouncing our positions in order to win international support in national interests protection.

 Thirdly, defence commercial activities should be fostered to provide the Army with equipment and weapons that are relevant to Vietnam’s conditions and military arts. This work needs carrying out in a plan which is consistent with international integration in defence. Cooperation in defence industry should aim at major powers and highly developed countries, focusing on transferring of technology, applying modern procedures of management and production.

Fourthly, the mechanism of high-level defence dialogue with partners should be expanded to increase understanding and build trust in defence international relations. Through defence dialogues and consultations other countries will have a better understanding on the issues relating to Vietnam’s sovereignty and territory, and our Party and State’s policy in dealing with disagreements and disputes over seas and islands. On that basis, confidence is built, defence cooperation is promoted for the sake of peace, development, prosperity of each country, region, and the world.

Fifthly, gradually take part in the UN peacekeeping operations in effective way. As it is new to us, the participation should be cautious and gradual. First and foremost, we need to focus on building and completing legal documents; promoting research on organizational and personnel structures, preparing forces and infrastructure to gradually increase the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre’s level of engagement in the UN peacekeeping operations.

Sixthly, improving the quality of anticipation  and strategic advisory work on defence diplomacy, considering this one of the breakthroughs that need to achieve in 2015. Accordingly, attention should focus on consolidating system of strategic research and advisory organs in “seasoned, strong, proper, synchronized” direction; supplementing and perfecting functions and tasks of each organ; improving the effectiveness of work, meeting mission requirements. Moreover, the development of human resources for this work should be focused on.

Seventhly, strengthening the propagation of defence diplomacy, making international community, particularly partners, dialogue partners and oversea Vietnamese  understand our Party and State’s guidelines on defence international integration; and that Vietnam’s defence policy is peace, self-defence, cooperation for mutual development. On this basis, we refute and unmask the hostile forces’ arguments that distort Vietnam’s defence policy; at the same time, enlisting active support from international community.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh

Member of Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of National Defence