    |
 |
|
Mongolian President Ukhnagiin Khurelsukh welcomes Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang (left). (Photo: Mongolian Defense Ministry) |
Welcoming the Vietnamese guests, the Mongolian leader emphasized that Vietnam has a special position in the country’s foreign policy. During nearly seven decades of their diplomatic ties, the two countries have always supported each other. He hoped that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Mongolia will develop to a new height for the interests of the two peoples, and contributing to maintaining regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development.
Saying thanks to the host for the reception, Gen. Giang confirmed that Vietnam always treasures its long-lasting friendly ties with Mongolia.
The Vietnamese defense minister conveyed President Vo Van Thuong’s regards to his Mongolian counterpart. Through Gen. Giang, President Ukhnagiin Khurelsukh also sent his regards to his Vietnamese counterpart.
Gen. Giang expressed his belief that the Vietnam visit of the Mongolian President in early November this year will be successful. He highlighted the importance of the visit since the two countries are celebrating their 70th diplomatic relations next year.
The Vietnamese minister also shared his sentiments and touching moments when visiting the Inter-level School No.14 named after Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh one day before.
|
|
 |
|
At the reception for the Vietnamese Defense Minister (Photo: Mongolian Defense Ministry) |
At the meeting, Gen. Giang informed Mongolian President Ukhnagiin Khurelsukh about the outcomes of his earlier talks with Mongolian Defense Minister Gursediin Saikhanbayar and the cooperation between the two militaries over the past time. At the talks, the two sides agreed to boost bilateral defense relations in accordance with the fruitful relationship of the two countries. According to Minister Giang, the two defense ministries have constantly coordinated in a substantive and effective direction to meet the two sides’ needs.
For his part, the Mongolian President expressed his impression and good feelings for Vietnam and its people. He pledged to foster the flourishing relations of the two countries, and pay attention to promoting the bilateral defense cooperation.
The Mongolian leader also emphasized that he will create the most favorable conditions for the Mongolian Defense Ministry to deepen its ties with the Vietnamese counterpart to be on par with the two countries’ cooperation framework.
|
|
 |
|
Mongolian Defense Minister Gursediin Saikhanbayar chaired a welcome ceremony for his Vietnamese counterpart Gen. Phan Van Giang (right). |
Earlier the same day, at the headquarters of the Mongolian Defense Ministry, Mongolian Defense Minister Gursediin Saikhanbayar chaired a welcome ceremony for his Vietnamese counterpart Gen. Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese delegation.
The traditional close-knit friendship between Vietnam and Mongolia has been fostered by generations of the two countries’ leaders and people, including President Ho Chi Minh and President Sedenban. That relations have been developing strongly and firmly, reaping practical outcomes. Attentively, in the past national salvation and present Fatherland construction and defense cause, the two peoples have always shown mutual support.
|
|
 |
|
The two ministers review the Guards-of-Honor. |
After the welcome ceremony, the two ministers held talks.
The Mongolian minister warmly welcomed the first official visit to Mongolia of his Vietnamese counterpart, believing that it will help deepen the bilateral defense ties and the traditional friendship of the two countries.
Given that Vietnam is a heroic country with a stable political situation and potential economy, Minister Gursediin Saikhanbayar underlined that Vietnam has an important position in his country’s foreign policy and that Mongolia attaches importance to developing relations with Vietnam and considers the country a bridge to develop its ties with ASEAN members and an important partner of Mongolia in the region.
Gen. Gang thanked the Mongolian Defense Ministry and people for the solemn welcome. He confirmed that Vietnam persistently implements the “Four No's” defense policy and the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of international relations, giving high priority to developing friendly and cooperative ties with traditional countries, including Mongolia.
The Vietnamese minister invited his Mongolian counterpart to attend the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024, scheduled to take place in late next year.
At the talks, both ministers evaluated that on the basis of mutual trust, understanding, and support, the two defense ministries have effectively carried out cooperation contents, particularly in such fields as delegation exchanges and contacts, especially high level ones; personnel training; and sending of officials to seminars, conferences, and other activities hosted by the two ministries.
Regarding the future cooperation, the two sides agreed to continue to exert utmost efforts to practically and effectively cooperate in maintaining high-level contacts and all-level delegation exchange; defense industry; training; military medicine; art and culture; military sports; and sharing of experience in U.N. peacekeeping operations.
|
|
 |
|
Ministers Phan Van Giang and Gursediin Saikhanbayar witness the signing of an agreement on exchange of Defense Ministry delegations. |
Also at the talks, Ministers Phan Van Giang and Gursediin Saikhanbayar shared views on regional and global situations and other issues of common concern. They emphasized the importance of upholding an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the East Sea (South China Sea) for not only maritime countries, but also landlocked ones.
After the talks, both ministers witnessed the signing of an agreement on exchange of Defense Ministry delegations.
|
|
 |
|
The two defense ministers and other delegates in a joint photo |
Minister Gursediin Saikhanbayar also performed a traditional ritual of the Mongolian tribes by giving a gift to the distinguished guest and invited Minister Phan Van Giang to visit the traditional tent of the Mongolian military.
|
|
 |
|
Minister Gursediin Saikhanbayar presents a horse to Minister Phan Van Giang. This is a traditional ritual of the Mongolian tribes for distinguished guests. |
On the afternoon the same day, Gen. Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese delegation visited the National Defense University of Mongolia which is located in Ulaanbaatar. Founded in 1921, this is Mongolian military’s highest-level military education institution with the oldest history. The university is responsible for training high-level officers for Mongolian military and providing strategy and operation-level military knowledge.
|
|
 |
|
Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang visits the National Defense University of Mongolia. |
By Thu Trang from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Translated by Mai Huong