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General Phan Van Giang welcomes Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin. |
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General Phan Van Giang and Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin inspect the honor guards of the Viet Nam People’s Army. |
Before the talks, General Phan Van Giang chaired a welcome ceremony for Malaysian Minister of Defense Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin and the Malaysian delegation.
During the talks, General Phan Van Giang highlighted the robust development of Viet Nam - Malaysia relations, stressed by the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in November 2024. He congratulated the Malaysian Ministry of Defense on successfully hosting ASEAN military and defense meetings during its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, helping maintain the bloc’s centrality in promoting peace and sustainable development.
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General Phan Van Giang and Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin view photos of Viet Nam - Malaysia defense cooperation. |
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Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin signs the guestbook at the Viet Nam Ministry of National Defense headquarters. |
Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin affirmed that his visit has demonstrated the deep-rooted friendship and trust between the two nations and their defense ministries.
General Phan Van Giang noted the practical results of bilateral defense cooperation, particularly in high-level delegation exchanges, dialogue mechanisms, defense industry, collaborations between services and arms, human resource training, U.N. peacekeeping, and mutual support at ASEAN-led forums.
Looking ahead, General Phan Van Giang proposed effectively implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’s Action Program. Key focus areas include high-level delegation engagements, dialogues, defense industry, military medicine, U.N. peacekeeping, and maintaining ASEAN’s unified stance on regional security.
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General Phan Van Giang at the talks |
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The Vietnamese delegation at the event |
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Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin at the talks |
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The Malaysian delegation at the talks |
He urged Malaysia’s assistance in English language training for the Viet Nam People’s Army officers, affirming Viet Nam’s readiness to host Malaysian military instructors and send cadets to Malaysia. Additionally, he invited Malaysian officers to attend Vietnamese language and international defense official courses in Viet Nam, welcoming academic exchanges between military institutions.
General Phan Van Giang expressed confidence that the visit would heighten the bilateral defense cooperation, making it a vital pillar of the two countries’ relationship. He also invited Malaysian defense leaders and enterprises to attend and exhibit at the third Viet Nam Defense Expo in Hanoi this December.
Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin expressed his desire to advance agreed-upon defense initiatives based on mutual interests, contributing to the substantive development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two ministers also discussed global and regional issues, prominently the East Sea (South China Sea) one. Emphasizing shared strategic interests, General Phan Van Giang called for regular consultations and enhanced maritime law enforcement cooperation with Malaysia. He reaffirmed ASEAN’s stance on resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, effectively and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and early concluding negotiations on and signing a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Viet Nam and Malaysia are close neighbors in Southeast Asia, sharing numerous cultural and historical similarities while serving as active and responsible members of ASEAN.
Bilateral relations between Viet Nam and Malaysia have flourished recently. Notably, the elevation of their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the state visit to Malaysia by Party General Secretary To Lam (now Party General Secretary and State President To Lam) in November 2024 opened a new chapter in bilateral relations.
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The two sides exchange souvenirs. |
The defense cooperation between Viet Nam and Malaysia plays an increasingly critical role in their bilateral relationship. Leaders from both nations have consistently prioritized and promoted this sector in accordance with the signed defense cooperation agreements.
Recent bilateral defense cooperation has yielded positive results, highlighted by all-level delegation exchanges, effective maintenance of dialogue mechanisms, human resource training, and collaboration between various services and arms. Furthermore, both nations regularly consult and support each other at regional and international security forums, while also sending delegations to events hosted by the respective countries.
Translated by Minh Anh