"The Secretary and the Minister of National Defense agreed on actions to deepen defense cooperation," the release said on Tuesday. "The two leaders agreed a strong US-Vietnam defense relationship promotes regional and global security. This relationship is based on mutual respect and common interests, including the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea."
Both leaders also agreed to a first-time visit of a US aircraft carrier to Vietnam next year to expand naval cooperation and enhance information-sharing, the release said.
Defense cooperation between the United States and Vietnam brings regional and global security in the Asia-Pacific region, the release stated.
The US-Vietnam relationship strives on common interests that include freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, the release noted.
