The talks took place right after the welcome ceremony for the Singaporean Minister for Defense at the Vietnamese MND’s headquarters.
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Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang speaks at the event. |
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Gen. Giang (third from left) and the Vietnamese delegation at the talks |
Gen. Giang congratulated the guest on the 60th foundation anniversary of the Singaporean Armed Forces (July 1, 1965 - 2025). He emphasized that Vietnam and Singapore are active members of the ASEAN Community and have a good friendship. The two countries share many similarities in potential, advantages and strategic interests. He underlined that the elevation of the two countries’ relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March 2025 was a historical milestone, opening up a new chapter in the relationship between the two Parties, States and in the bilateral defense ties as well.
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Minister Chan Chun Sing speaks at the talks. |
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Chan Chun Sing (third from right) and the Singaporean delegation at the event |
The Vietnamese defense chief assessed that the bilateral defense ties have obtained comprehensive and practical outcomes, importantly contributing to consolidating the political trust between the two countries. He highlighted that all-level delegation exchanges have been prioritized while mechanisms for consultation, dialogue, information sharing, and other exchanges have been effectively maintained, particularly the defense policy dialogue. In addition, the cooperation between arms and services, in maritime security and safety and training remain bright spots. He also laid stress on the two sides’ active consultation and mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms.
The host expressed gratitude to the Singaporean Ministry of Defense for granting scholarships for specialized training and language courses for Vietnamese military personnel; and for receiving officers from the naval, coast guard and border guard forces to work at the Information Fusion Center (IFC). He also thanked the Singaporean Ministry for supporting and sending a high-level delegation to attend the celebrations marking the 80th foundation anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army, the 35th anniversary of the Whole People Defense Festive Day, and the Vietnam Defense Expo 2024.
General Phan Van Giang suggested the two sides continue to strengthen their trustworthy, comprehensive, and substantive cooperation in the time to come. Focus should be put on such key areas as promoting exchanges of all-level delegations, especially high-level ones; effectively maintaining existing consultation and dialogue mechanisms and cooperation in training and between arms and services and in military medicine; enhancing the sharing of professional expertise and exchanges of young officers; and continuing mutual consultation and support at multilateral defense and security forums within ASEAN and at international events hosted by either side.
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Defense Minister Phan Van Giang presents a gift to his Singaporean counterpart. |
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Minister Chan Chun Sing presents a souvenir to Minister Phan Van Giang. |
For his part, Minister Chan Chun Sing emphasized the close bilateral defense cooperation. He noted that both sides should further strengthen the bilateral defense ties to match the level of the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.
He expressed his agreement with the suggestions by Gen. Giang and affirmed Singapore’s readiness to welcome officers of the Vietnam People’s Army for training in Singapore. He also agreed that both sides would continue to effectively maintain consultation and dialogue mechanisms, particularly towards ensuring the success of the upcoming defense policy dialogue to be hosted by Vietnam.
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Singaporean Minister for Defense Chan Chun Sing visits Viettel Group. |
In the morning the same day, Minister Chan Chun Sing visited the Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel).
Translated by Mai Huong