Hanoi (VNA) - Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang held a phone discussionon June 11 with Russian Minister of Defence Gen. Sergey Kuzhugetovich Shoygu.
The two ministers affirmed their appreciation of the two countries’ historyof relationship, including defence ties. They highlighted their readiness tofoster such relations together in contributing to the two countries' traditional friendship as well as the Vietnam - Russia comprehensivestrategic partnership.
Over the past, the two defence ministries have effectively implementedhigh-level agreements and cooperation contents through making efforts inbuilding related specific plans and programmes as well as optimising their existingcooperation mechanisms and frameworks.
The ministers agreed to carry out a series of prioritised joint work,including training; multilateral activities hosted by the Russian side;COVID-19 prevention and control; research within the Vietnam-Russia TropicalCentre; and engagements between the General Political Department of theVietnam People’s Army and the Directorate for Political-Military Affairs of theRussian Armed Forces.
Giang took the occasion to invite the Russian minister to visit Vietnamat an appropriate time this year.
Shoygu congratulated Giang on his appointment as defence minister, and expressed his belief that in his current post, Giang willcontinue making significant contributions to developing the relationship betweenthe two nations and armies./.