Defence minister welcomes ASEAN army chiefs

Minister of Defence General Phung Quang Thanh hosted a reception for ASEAN army chiefs in Hanoi on November 26.

He welcomed the guests to participate in the 15th ASEAN Chief of Army Multilateral Meeting (ACAMM-15) which opened in the capital earlier the same day.

He said Vietnam has been collaborating with other bloc’s countries to successfully build the ASEAN Community by 2015.

In fact, the bloc has succeeded in establishing broad relationship with other nations in the world via the ASEAN Plus Mechanisms for the common goal of peace and prosperity.

This is the result of joint efforts, solidarity and consensus among the member states, General Thanh said.

Thailand’s Army Chief General Udomdej Sitabutr hailed Vietnam’s efforts to host the ACAMM-15, the 4th ASEAN Sergeant Major Annual Meeting (ASMAM-4 ), and the 24th ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM-24), which contributed to fostering mutual understanding between military officials.

Vietnam hosts ASEAN Sergeant Major meeting

The fourth ASEAN Sergeant Major Annual Meeting (ASMAM-4 ) has offered participants a chance to enhance their understanding and collaboration among ground groups of ASEAN’s armies, said the Major General and Deputy Director of the Department of Military Training under the General Staff, Nguyen Van Luan.

The Major General Luan Luan made the statement in his welcoming speech at the ASMAM-4 hosted by the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) in Hanoi on November 26.

The event has the theme of role, function, task of commissioned officers and professional soldiers in armies of ASEAN countries as well as future cooperation potential.

Participants discussed and shared experiences in tackling regional security challenges for building a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN community.

The event will run until November 28.

Party chief’s visit makes headlines in Russia

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Russia made the headlines in the host country on November 25.

TASS explored discussions between the Party chief and President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on energy projects and a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The agency cited Putin as saying that the two countries plan to raise two-way trade to 10 billion USD by 2020.

The Russian leader also said the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership has a prospect of growing further, which was reflected in a Joint Statement issued during the visit, according to TASS.

The Voice of Russia quoted Putin as stating that Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit will make a substantial contribution to fostering the two countries’ ties.

Also on November 25, the Russian 24, 1TV.Ru, RIA Novosti, Vesti.ru and other newspapers covered the results of the talks between the Vietnamese guest and President V. Putin, commenting that the visit will create a fresh driving force that will help deepen the special comprehensive strategic partnership.

The signing of nine cooperation documents between the two countries, including some on oil and gas, was also featured broadly in the media.

VNA/VOV