On September 3 in Hanoi, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, and Senior Lieutenant General Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, co-chaired the 8th Vietnam-Russia Strategic Defense Dialogue.

During the session, both sides discussed global and regional developments as well as issues of mutual concern. Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that Vietnam remains steadfast in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, multilateralization, and diversification of international relations. He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to cooperating with nations and international organizations for regional and global peace and development, while upholding the "four no’s" principle in defense policy.

Regarding the East Sea, Vietnam reiterated its consistent stance of resolving disputes through peaceful means based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), along with international and regional agreements such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Vietnam also supports the early adoption of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) for the region.

According to General Chien, defense cooperation between Vietnam and Russia has been actively and effectively implemented across several key areas. Vietnam also supports activities jointly hosted by Russia and Laos under the ADMM+ Expert Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action for the 2024-2027 cycle.

Looking ahead, the two sides agreed to request that their respective agencies effectively implement signed cooperation agreements, focusing on exchanges of delegations at various levels and enhanced cooperation in military training.

The two parties also plan to deepen cooperation between military services and arms branches, promote collaboration between agencies, units, academies, and military schools; and engage in the exchange of expertise, military medicine, and scientific research under the framework of the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center. They also agreed to maintain coordination and consultation in international and multilateral defense forums, especially those led by ASEAN.

General Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin expressed confidence that the success of this 8th Strategic Defense Dialogue would help chart a sustainable and effective path for bilateral defense cooperation between Vietnam and Russia.

On this occasion, General Hoang Xuan Chien extended his gratitude to General Fomin and the Russian Ministry of Defense delegation for attending the 80th anniversary celebration of Vietnam’s August Revolution and National Day on September 2.

At the dialogue, under authorization from the President of Vietnam, General Hoang Xuan Chien awarded the Friendship Order to General Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin in recognition of his significant contributions to strengthening bilateral defense ties and advancing the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

According to General Chien, the participation of the Russian delegation and its military contingent in the National Day military parade underscored the strong role of defense cooperation as a pillar in the longstanding and strategic friendship between the two countries.

He also noted that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense is building a memorial at the Vietnam Military History Museum to honor Soviet military experts who supported Vietnam’s struggle for independence. This, he said, stands as a powerful testament to the deep bond and longstanding goodwill between the two nations and their armed forces.

PV