On the morning of December 26, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defense, and Senior Lieutenant General Alexander Fomin, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defense, co-chaired the 7th Vietnam-Russia Strategic Defense Dialogue.

Strengthening strategic defense ties

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien highlighted the crucial role of defense cooperation in the comprehensive strategic partnership and traditional friendship between Vietnam and Russia. He commended the progress achieved since the 6th dialogue in July 2023.

The two nations have achieved positive outcomes in areas such as delegation exchanges, maintaining effective cooperative mechanisms, personnel training, and collaboration between military services and units.

They also cooperated on scientific research through the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center, military broadcasting, military history, museum activities, and joint participation in multilateral defense forums.

Senior Lieutenant General Chien called for continued efforts to make defense cooperation more practical and effective, emphasizing the importance of mechanisms like the Intergovernmental Coordination Committee for the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center and the Strategic Defense Dialogue.

He proposed further collaboration in military services, medical training, Russian language education, and support for Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense in commemorating “70 years of Vietnam-Soviet Union/Russia Defense Cooperation.”

Russian Deputy Minister emphasizes cooperation

Senior Lieutenant General Alexander Fomin expressed his pleasure at visiting Vietnam and congratulated the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense on the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 35th anniversary of the All-People’s Defense Day.

He underscored defense cooperation as a cornerstone of the diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Russia.

2024 marks 30 years since the signing of the Treaty on the Basic Principles of Friendship between Vietnam and Russia. In 2025, the countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War victory, in which Vietnam contributed support.

Deputy Minister Fomin affirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral defense ties, emphasizing the mutual benefits and strong friendship between the two nations.

Outcomes and shared perspectives

During the dialogue, both sides shared views on global and regional issues of mutual interest. Senior Lieutenant General Chien reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to an independent and multilateral foreign policy, striving for peace, friendship, and international cooperation.

Vietnam is ready to collaborate with other countries and international organizations to promote peace and development. The country remains steadfast in resolving disputes through peaceful means based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The dialogue concluded with the signing of two documents, laying the groundwork for further collaboration between the two Ministries of Defense.

Tran Thuong - Thach Thao