Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh affirmed that Russia is a prioritised and important partner in Vietnam’s foreign policy and the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership has been developing fruitfully with defence ties playing a key pillar.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (R) and
Deputy Defence Minister Andrey Kartapolov (Photo: VNA) 

Binh made the statement during a reception in Hanoi on October 22 for Sen. Lieut. Gen. Andrey Kartapolov, Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the Main Directorate for Political-Military Affairs of the Russian Armed Forces.

He spoke highly of bilateral defence and military technical cooperation over the past years. The defence ministries have held activities during the Vietnam – Russia Year, Russia – Vietnam Year 2019-2020. The Vietnamese army sent eight teams to the 2019 International Army Games and a naval vessel to Russia for the first time.

Vietnam is ready to assist Russia in developing ties with member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and joining regional security mechanisms, he said.

The Deputy PM suggested Russia actively joins the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM ) mechanism, especially in 2020 when Vietnam assumes the role of ASEAN Chair.

Binh affirmed support for the enhancement of cooperative relations between the General Political Department of the Vietnamese People’s Army and the Main Directorate for Political-Military Affairs, initially in prioritized fields such as political and ideological education, personnel training, military communications, the fight against “peaceful evolution”, “colourful revolution” and riots, military social sciences, thus strengthening the Vietnam – Russia comprehensive strategic partnership and bilateral defence ties in particular.

The Deputy PM proposed that the two defence ministries continue fostering ties in the near future in line with signed bilateral conventions and international agreements.

He expressed delight at Russia’s continued training of military officers for Vietnam, adding that the government backs the organisation of the Army Games in Vietnam.

Kartapolov, for his part, said Russia always treasures ties between the two nations, considering it a prioritised task.

He promised to help the Vietnamese army in every aspect, saying that the Russian defence ministry is ready to assist Vietnam in hosting the Army Games.

The Russian Deputy Minister also believed that bilateral defence ties will grow further in the future.