The two defense ministers reviewed the results of the bilateral defense cooperation in the past time and discussed orientations for bilateral defense cooperation in the future.
The host affirmed that the Russian Federation always considers Vietnam as an important partner and a traditional close friend in the Asia-Pacific region.
Russia is always willing to expand defense cooperation with Vietnam, he emphasized.
The guest congratulated the Russians on the successful organization of the recent presidential election.
He showed empathy for difficulties facing the country, but still strongly believed that the Russians, under the leadership of the Russian State and President V. Putin, will soon overcome difficulties and build a developed country with its increasing credibility and status in the world.
General Lich also highly appreciated Russia’s organization of the annual Moscow Conference on International Security, saying that the international security mechanism is an effective security forum, drawing an increasing number of officials and experts from countries around the world. The event provides opportunities for officials and experts to express and share their views on contemporary security challenges and threats, including terrorism.
Regarding the bilateral relations, General Lich reiterated that Vietnam always remembers the great supports of the Government and people of the former Soviet Union and Russia for its past national liberation struggles and current national construction and defense.
Vietnam treasures its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, and defines the country as one of its first priorities in its foreign policy.
Both defense ministers agreed that the bilateral defense cooperation has been developing in a dynamic and effective manner, particularly since the visit to Vietnam of the Russian Defense Minister in January 2018, and emphasized that the two sides should further implement the signed deals and support each other at international forums.
They also discussed and agreed on measures to deepen bilateral defense cooperation in the coming time, which requires both sides to increase exchange of delegations at all levels; expand training, naval and hi-tech cooperation; improve the quality and effectiveness of military technical cooperation to meet the needs and interests of the two countries; and support each other at multilateral defense and security mechanisms.
General Lich announced that Vietnam will send its delegates to the Military Technical Forum and a military sport team to the International Army Games (Military World Games) 2018, to be hosted by Russia.
The two defense ministers also signed a plan to develop bilateral defense cooperation in the period 2018-20. This document, serving as a road-map for defense cooperation between the two sides in the three-year period, will help accelerate the implementation of the deals signed by the two sides.
After the meeting, General Lich gave a press briefing, saying that Vietnam highly valued the outcomes of the meeting. He expressed belief that the bilateral defense cooperation will be expanded at a level on a par with the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.
On the afternoon of the same day, General Lich had another meeting with Director of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation Alexander Vasilyevich Bortnikov.
Reported by Thu Trang from Moscow, Russia
Translated by Thu Nguyen