Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) and Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu (Photo: VNA) Moscow (VNA) – Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang held talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on December 1 within the framework of the official visit to Russia by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc from November 20 to December 2.
The talkstook place at a time when the two countries celebrate the 20th anniversary of bilateral strategic partnership this year as well as activitiesduring Vietnam – Russia, Russia – Vietnam Year (2019-2020) that last till thisyear.
Gianghailed Russia as a major country that plays an important role in world peaceand stability. He said Vietnam welcomes Russia’s peaceful contributions toAsia-Pacific, and Southeast Asia in particular.
Shoigu,for his part, thanked the Vietnamese Defence Ministry for successfully holdingcompetitions within the framework of the International Military Games 2021,sending a high-ranking delegation to international multilateral activitieshosted by the Russian Defence Ministry, vessels from the VietnamPeople’s Navy to a naval parade and the Sea Cup competition as part of theGames.
On the basisof signed international treaties and agreements, both sides agreed to focus onfacilitating all-level visits, maintaining strategic defence dialogue mechanismat the deputy ministerial level, training quality personnel, supporting andjoining international multilateral activities hosted by the two defence ministries,sharing experience in military technology, considering the issuance of aconsultation mechanism as well as holding joint activities in search and rescue,humanitarian assistance and post-war recovery.
They pledgedto work closely together at multilateral forums, especially the ASEAN DefenceMinisters’ Meeting Plus.
TheVietnamese side expressed support for Russia’s initiatives to promotemutually-beneficial ties with ASEAN as well as contribute to maintaining anenvironment of peace, stability and development in each region and the world.
At the talks (Photo: VNA)
On theoccasion, Giang invited his host to visit Vietnam at the earliest time.
Followingthe talks, the two ministries signed several important cooperation agreements, layinga legal foundation for bilateral defence and military technology cooperation.
The RussianDefence Ministry also presented Russia’s Friendship Order to Minister Giang.
In the afternoonthe same day, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc granted Vietnam’s Friendship Order toMinister Shoigu in honour of his important contributions to strengthening bilateral defenceties as well as traditional friendship and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.
OnDecember 2, Giang met and presented gifts to Russian war veterans who used tofight and work in Vietnam.
At ameeting with the Vietnamese community in Russia, representatives from theVietnamese Defence Ministry also symbolically received keys of several UAZvehicles used for search and rescue, which are donated by the VietnameseAssociation in Russia./.
