Vietnam Minister of National Defence Makes Introductory Visit to Singapore, and Reaffirms Warm and Friendly Defence Ties

The Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General (GEN) Ngo Xuan Lich is in Singapore for an introductory visit from 23 to 25 October 2016. GEN Lich called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen after inspecting a Guard of Honour at the Ministry of Defence this morning. GEN Lich also called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana earlier today, and will be visiting the Changi Regional HADR Coordination Centre (RHCC) and Information Fusion Centre at the Changi Naval Base this afternoon.
 
During Dr Ng's meeting with GEN Lich, both Ministers reaffirmed the warm and friendly defence relationship, and exchanged views on regional and international security issues, including counter-terrorism. On areas of defence cooperation, Dr Ng expressed appreciation for Vietnam's strong support towards the Changi RHCC and IFC. The Changi RHCC strengthens military-to-military coordination to respond to natural disasters in the region, and achieves this by partnering with militaries from across the world to enhance information sharing and operational coordination. Vietnam is the most recent of 11 militaries that have come on board to partner with the Changi RHCC thus far.
 
Singapore and Vietnam signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement in 2009 at the Ministerial-level. Both countries also interact regularly through high-level visits, professional exchanges, cross-attendance of courses, port calls and multilateral exercises, such as the recent ADMM-Plus Maritime Security and Counter-Terrorism Exercise in May 2016.