UK Secretary of State for Defense Robert Ben Lobban Wallace lauded Vietnam’s increasing role not only in the region but also in global issues, as proven in the country’s contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.

UK Secretary of State for Defense Robert Ben Lobban Wallace speaks with Vietnamese scholars and students of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam on Thursday. Photo VNA

The British official held a dialogue with Vietnamese scholars and students of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) on Thursday as part of his visit to Vietnam.

Wallace was accompanied by Antony David Radakin, UK First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff; Nigel Adams, British Minister of State for Asia and other British high ranking officials.

This is the first official visit to Vietnam by the UK Secretary of State for Defense.

The visit was made after the two countries celebrated the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the UK-Vietnam Strategic Partnership last year.

DAV director Pham Lan Dung welcomes UK Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace. Photo Bao Quoc Te

During their speeches with DAV scholars and students, Wallace and Adams exchanged views on the regional situation, as well as the UK’s role and contributions to the region and orientations to strengthen the partnership.

“Challenges and security at sea in the region have remained a common concern of the international community,” Wallace said. Photo Bao Quoc Te

Wallace said through the strategy tilting towards the Asia-Pacific released last March, the UK has affirmed its long-term commitment to peace and stability in the region, Vietnam News Agency reported.

“Challenges and security at sea in the region have remained a common concern of the international community,” Wallace said, explaining that they have affected regional peace and stability, as well as the rule of law.

Given this, the UK wishes to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN countries in the “ASEAN way” to promote dialogues and common peace and stability, he said, stressing that as a permanent member of the UNSC, the UK has a duty to protect the rules-based international order.

The UK and Vietnam share many strategic visions and interests, such as the views on free trade and the significance of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, he said.

The UK will continue its close coordination with Vietnam to boost cooperation within the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, he pledged.

Also on Thursday, Wallace held talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace. Photo VNA

He said the UK Department of Defense was willing to closely cooperate with the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to enhance exchanges and consolidate mutual trust, and step up mutually beneficial cooperation, covering training, experience sharing and collaboration within multilateral frameworks like UN peacekeeping operations.

The two sides should work to effectively realize cooperation agreements in national defense, contributing to the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership in conformity with each side's interests, and contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world, PM Chinh told Wallace.

Talking about his visit to Vietnam, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said “This visit was an excellent opportunity to discuss shared security challenges with our Vietnamese friends and highlights our deepening defense cooperation.”

“It was a pleasure to meet with Vietnamese UN peacekeepers who have served alongside UK troops in South Sudan. This is a prime example of the UK stepping forward with our partners to address global challenges.”

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace vists the Temple of Literature in Hanoi on Thursday. Photo Bao Quoc Te

According to the British Embassy in Vietnam, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace’s visit to Vietnam concludes his tour in Asia, including to Japan and the Republic of Korea. The trip affirms the UK’s Indo-Pacific tilt and its commitments towards deepening and expanding defense relationships with key partners in the region to address changing threats.

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Rosemary Nguyen