The Defence Ministries of Vietnam and Russia have agreed to continue fostering the cooperation stated in the signed agreements so as to further intensify the two countries’ defence ties in their comprehensive strategic partenership.

According to Quan doi Nhan dan (People’s Army) newspaper, the two sides reached the agreement during recent talks between General Makarov Nicolai Egorovich, Russian Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces and first Deputy Defence Minister, and the visiting Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Do Ba Ty.

Egorovich described the visit as a contribution to further consolidating and strengthening the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, peoples and armies.

The Vietnamese general, for his part, affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, army and people always attach special importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.

He stated that defence cooperation has been regarded as an important pillar in bilateral ties, which continue progressing broadly.

At the talks, the two sides exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern and informed each other about socio-economic development situation in each country.

Egorovich and Ty agreed that bilateral defence cooperation has brought about practical and effective results over the past time, especially in the exchange of delegations, training, military science and technology, and cooperation between services.

The Vietnamese Deputy Minister delivered the country’s visit invitation to Russian war veterans who had assisted Vietnam during its struggle for national independence.

During his visit, the Vietnamese senior military official was also received by Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who affirmed that Russia wants to further tighten relations with Vietnam, its close and faithful friend.-VNA