EU and Viet Nam step up security and defence cooperation with signature of a Framework Participation Agreement for participation in EU crisis management operations
Today, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and the Minister of National Defence of Viet Nam, General NGO Xuan Lich, signed an Agreement establishing a framework for the participation of Viet Nam in European Union crisis management operations. The signature comes two months after the High Representative/Vice-President’s visit to Hanoi in August. The Framework Participation Agreement sets a legal basis to govern and facilitate the participation of Viet Nam in EU-led civilian and military crisis management operations. The EU missions and operations deployed outside the Union are the most visible EU commitment to a rules-based multilateral approach to international peace and security. The signing of this Agreement with Viet Nam is a significant step forward in our relations and shows an elevated ambition from both the European Union and Viet Nam to implement effectively their defence and security cooperation partnership, which had been discussed during the visit to Hanoi of the High Representative/Vice-President in August. Viet Nam becomes the second partner country in Asia to sign a Framework Participation Agreement with the European Union, after the Republic of Korea, and the first in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
With the signature of this Framework Participation Agreement today the EU and Viet Nam have committed themselves to address shared security challenges in Asia and elsewhere. The EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) provides the Union with the operational capacity to deploy both civilian missions and military operations, while Framework Participation Agreements constitute an important instrument for the EU to strengthen the involvement of our partners in this area. CSDP missions and operations are a unique instrument in the EU’s toolbox allowing for direct action to manage a conflict or crisis and to focus on goals such as rule of law reform, stabilisation, fighting organised crime, and reform of the security sector. This is done at the request of the country to which assistance is being provided and always in full respect of international law. So far, the EU operates 10 civilian missions and 6 military operations, which can include contributions of third States through the conclusion of Framework Participation Agreements. Including the Agreement signed today with Viet Nam, the EU now has Framework Participation Agreements in place with 19 partner countries.