Singapore (VNA) – Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh called on nations💯 to increase cooperation to settle differences and prevent conflicts ꩵwhile delivering a speech at the fourth plenary session of the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue concluded in Singapore on June 5.

He said the regional security is threatened by terrorism, nuclear proliferation, territorial and border disputes, marine security, and other growing non-traditional security challenges. In that context, it is necessary to enhance multinational collaboration, build mutual trust, respect for legitimate rights, and achieve common viewpoints and interests to jointly address disputes, he said. According to Senior Lieutenant General Vinh, either cooperation or competition, the involved parties must respect the principle of equality and international law, regarding them as the standards to peacefully resolve disputes and minimise the escalation of conflict, without use forces or threat to use forces. The Shangri-La Dialogue as well as other important security forums offers a brilliant opportunity for countries to seek measures to settle disputes to maintain peace, stability in the region and the world, he said, highlighting the central role of ASEAN in the field. Regarding tensions in the East Sea, Vinh reiterated Vietnam’s standpoint to resolutely defend the country’s independence and sovereignty. The country’s core principle is maximising cooperation and competition for development as well as dispute settlement, he said. He added that Vietnam has the policy to strengthen cooperation with China and other countries to build and consolidate trust while constructively engaging in frank debates to search for common strategic interests.-VNA