Following the ceremony, the two defense ministers held talks. Minister of Defense Phan Van Giang emphasized that the visit of Japan's Defense Minister further deepens the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world, established in 2023, which includes cooperation between the two countries' defense ministries.

General Phan Van Giang stated that Vietnam-Japan defense relations have continuously expanded, becoming more substantive and deserving as a key pillar of the bilateral relationship.

The Vietnamese Defense Minister highlighted several areas of cooperation, such as war aftermath remediation, training, military medicine, rescue and disaster relief, UN peacekeeping operations, and regular consultations in regional forums, particularly within the framework of ADMM+.

Dialogue, consultation, and exchange mechanisms have been maintained effectively; both sides have fully sustained the Deputy Ministerial-Level Defense Policy Dialogue and staff officer consultations across the Navy, Army, and Air Force. According to the Defense Minister, these mechanisms are crucial and effectively implemented by both sides.

Regarding cooperation directions, Minister Phan Van Giang proposed that both sides continue to promote defense cooperation into a new, effective phase, consistent with the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

This includes focusing on areas such as delegation exchanges, high-level contacts, continuing to effectively maintain annual dialogue and consultation mechanisms, training cooperation, joint military cooperation, defense industry and technology transfer, war aftermath remediation, and UN peacekeeping.

The two countries' militaries need to enhance consultations and coordination in multilateral mechanisms, thereby contributing to effectively implementing the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

For his part, Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru expressed gratitude to General Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense for their warm reception. He also extended his deepest condolences to the Vietnamese Army on the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Mr. Kihara Minoru stated that this is his first visit to Vietnam as Japan's Defense Minister. The visit takes place as the two countries have recently upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world. Defense cooperation between the two countries continues to develop.

During the talks, the two sides exchanged views on world and regional issues of mutual concern. Regarding maritime issues, General Phan Van Giang emphasized that Vietnam remains steadfast in its policy of resolving all disputes peacefully based on international law, regional commitments, especially UNCLOS 1982, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and promoting negotiations for an effective, substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Also, this morning, Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru paid respects at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. He is expected to pay courtesy visits to General Secretary, State President To Lam, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.