PANO - A solemn ceremony to welcome a Vietnamese high-ranking military delegation, led by Minister of National Defence, General Phung Quang Thanh, took place at the Hill of Respectful Salutation on August 7th.
>>Defence cooperation is an important pillar in Vietnam – Russia partnership
The official friendship visit to Russia was made at the invitation of Russian Defence Minister, General Sergei Kuzugetovich Shoigu.
After the welcome ceremony, the two ministers discussed regional and global issues of mutual concerns.
Minister Phung Quang Thanh highly appreciated the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, saying it is developing broadly, deeply and effectively in both bilateral and multilateral arenas.
The Vietnamese general stressed that Vietnam always respects the great and effective support, given by Soviet people and armed forces in the past during the resistance wars. He noted that Russia’s assistance was and remains an important factor in enabling Vietnam to achieve it’s goals.
The general also congratulated Russia for its significant achievements in making Russia a strong power and its important role in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the region and the world. He stressed that Vietnam expects to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and acknowledged that defence cooperation plays an important role in this partnership.
The Vietnamese minister reiterated that the visit to Russia this time is to boost the multi-faceted traditional friendship for mutual benefits, including defence cooperation to strategic partnership level, helping peace and stability in the region and the world.
The guest also suggested that in the coming time the two sides should continue to deepen its defence cooperation, making it effective, sustainable and close to the practical demands of each country basing on the signed agreements.
General Phung Quang Thanh stressed that effective defence cooperation would reinforce the traditional friendship between the two countries and help consolidate the mutually beneficial partnership to ensure a peaceful and stable environment to develop the countries and not to influence others.
The Vietnamese general held that the bilateral cooperation is suitable within the multilateral cooperation mechanism, especially the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus, of which Russia plays an important role.
Based on the political trust between the two countries, the Vietnamese general expressed his belief that boosting the range of cooperation will help bring the overall defence cooperation to a new height, corresponding to their comprehensive strategic partnership and interests.
Minister Sergei Shoigu attached importance to the traditional friendship with Vietnam and stressed that Russia always considers Vietnam a strategic partner. He also agreed with the content of cooperation in the coming time and confirmed that defence cooperation is an effective way to boost the relations between the two countries. Accordingly, Russia will actively cooperate with Vietnam in providing training for Vietnam People’s Army staff.
Immediately following the talks, the two defence ministers signed a bilateral cooperation plan on training and answered the press.
Translated by Ngoc Hung