Vietnam, Russia seek to boost defence links

Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich (R) and Russian Defence Minister General Sergei Shoigu at the welcoming ceremony in Moscow

Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich led a high-ranking military delegation of Vietnam to pay an official visit to Russia from February 3-9 at the invitation of Russian Defence Minister General Sergei Shoigu.

Immediate the welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation in Moscow on February 5, talks were held between the two defence ministers, during which

Lich affirmed Vietnam’s top priority given to developing the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia with defence cooperation being a pillar of the bilateral relationship.

Vietnamese people and army always bear in mind and the great support and assistance from their Russian counterparts during the past struggles for national liberation and the current cause of national construction and defence, he said.

He underscored the nation’s unwavering policy of reinforcing the solidarity, friendship and all-around strategic cooperation with Russia, which is also the top priority in the external policy of the Vietnamese Party, State and army. Lich hailed the Russian Defence Ministry’s participation in regional security mechanisms, especially the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), saying the practical and effective collaboration will contribute to consolidating trust, and dealing with and preventing security challenges, particularly non-traditional ones.

Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich leads the high-ranking military delegation of Vietnam to make an official visit to Russia from February 3-9

As the Chair of ASEAN in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2020-2021, Vietnam will continue to work together with Russia and partner countries to carry out the set targets, and advocate Russia’s efforts to broaden cooperation with the ASEAN, for peace, stability and development.

The Vietnamese Defence Minister also praised the Russian Defence Ministry’s role in the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre.

For his part, Shoigu highlighted the significance of Lich’s visit as a contribution to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership, especially in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 70th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties (January 30, 1950).

Russia always regards Vietnam as a traditional friend and an important strategic partner in the region, he said, adding that the promotion of the comprehensive cooperation will benefit people of both nations and help to maintain peace, stability and development in each region and the world.

Russia prioritises developing cooperative relations with Vietnam, including defence links, he noted.

The two ministers agreed that the progress of defence ties that have contributed to strengthening political trust between the two countries.

They also hailed both sides for maintaining the exchange of delegation at all levels and cooperation mechanisms such as defence policy dialogues and working groups and effective military technology cooperation through the Inter-Governmental Committee, whilst saying that cooperation in personnel training has remained a bright spot in defence cooperation.

The pair consented to step up defence cooperation on the basis of the mutual trust and signed documents, especially a joint vision statement signed during the Vietnamese minister’s visit.

Both sides will intensify the exchange of viewpoints on issues of share concern regarding national defence and security, enhance defence links in traditional fields, and beef up military technology cooperation sustainably and equally for mutual benefits.

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence will support and work hand in hand with its Russian counterpart to successfully fulfill their role as co-chairs of the ADMM experts’ working group on counterterrorism during the 2020-2023 period, while creating consensus among the ASEAN on Russia’s proposals in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM ), Lich told his Russian counterpart.

He invited Shoigu to make an official visit to Vietnam and attend ADMM as well as the ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of ADMM .

Following the talks, the two ministers signed a joint vision statement on Vietnam-Russia defence cooperation for 2020-2025. The statement is of great significance as it supplements the inked cooperation documents and contributes to orienting the bilateral defence ties, for the sake of people of the two countries, and for peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world.

The same day, Lich visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia where he talked with its staff. Earlier, Lich and his entourage paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his statue in Moscow and laid wreaths at the monument for unknown martyrs next to the Kremlin Palace.

During his visit, Lich also met with Director of Russia's Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov and received Russian war veterans who helped Vietnam during the past struggle for national liberation.