During the event, the Vietnamese deputy defense minister warmly thanked Col. Gen. Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin and the Russian delegation for visiting Vietnam and attending the grand ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day and for co-chairing the 8th defense strategic dialogue at the deputy ministerial level.
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An overview of the dialogue |
He emphasized that the presence of the Russian delegation, together with Russian military personnel participating in the parade during the celebrations, once again highlighted the pivotal role of defense cooperation within the broader traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, contributing to the overall success of this significant political event.
General Chien affirmed that the Vietnamese people and the Vietnam People’s Army always remember and appreciate the immense, heartfelt, impartial support of the former Soviet Union and today’s Russian Federation during Vietnam’s struggle for independence and reunification, as well as in its current national construction and defense. He expressed Vietnam’s desire to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of both nations, and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and the Vietnamese delegation at the event |
He highlighted the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense’s construction of a monument at the Vietnam Military History Museum in tribute to Soviet military advisors, including Russian advisors, who assisted Vietnam during its struggle for national independence. This monument serves as a vivid symbol of the close bond and goodwill between the two countries and their armed forces.
The Vietnamese deputy defense minister also noted that, along with the Soviet/Russian–Vietnamese Servicemen Memorial in Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa) and the Monument to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who defended Moscow during the Great Patriotic War in Moscow, the Monument to Soviet Military Advisors in Hanoi would further strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
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Colonel General Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin and the Russian delegation at the event |
During the dialogue, both sides exchanged views on global and regional situations and issues of mutual concern. General Chien reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development; multilateralization and diversification of external relations; readiness to cooperate with countries and international organizations for peace, cooperation, and development; and steadfast adherence to its “Four No's” defense policy.
On the East Sea (or South China Sea) issue, the Vietnamese deputy defense minister reiterated Vietnam’s consistent view of persistently resolving all disputes and differences by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. He stressed the importance of implementing international and regional commitments such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and expressed support for the early signing of a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien hands over Friendship Order to Col. Gen. Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin. |
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the effective implementation of Vietnam–Russia defense cooperation. General Chien affirmed that Vietnam supports activities jointly chaired by Russia and Laos within the ADMM+ Experts’ Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action for the 2024-2027 cycle.
The two sides also underlined the importance of scientific research cooperation within the framework of the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center, considering it a symbol of traditional bilateral cooperation, and agreed to effectively implement both annual plans and long-term cooperation programs.
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Heads of the two delegations signing and exchanging the minutes of the dialogue |
Looking ahead, General Chien proposed that agencies on both sides actively and effectively implement signed cooperation documents, focusing on delegation exchanges at all levels; enhancing training cooperation; strengthening ties among arms and services, agencies, and academies; exchanging expertise and experience; military medicine; coordination in conducting scientific research projects within the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center; and continuing close coordination and consultations within multilateral defense forums, especially ASEAN-led mechanisms.
For his part, Col. Gen. Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin expressed his pleasure at returning to the friendly and hospitable country of Vietnam. He thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense for inviting the Russian Ministry of Defense to the 80th National Day celebrations. He noted that the participation of the Russian contingent in the grand parade at Ba Dinh Square contributed to the overall success of the event.
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Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and his Russian counterpart Colonel General Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin |
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Delegates in a joint photo |
He said that over the past 75 years, Vietnam and Russia have been bound together by a foundation of strong traditional friendship, growing mutual trust, and increasingly prioritized defense cooperation, now serving as a pillar of bilateral relations. He expressed confidence that the outcomes of the 8th Vietnam - Russia Defense Strategic Dialogue would set directions for bilateral defense cooperation to develop sustainably, effectively, and substantively in the future.
At the end of the dialogue, both sides exchanged and presented orders and medals, and signed the minutes of the dialogue.
Translated by Song Anh