Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 20 received military leaders of Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia, Singapore and Thailand who are currently on a visit to Vietnam for a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the 30th anniversary of the All-People Defence Festival (December 22).

In his address, the Vietnamese Government chief thanked the governments and militaries of the countries for providing support for Vietnam, saying that Vietnam’s defence policy aims for peace maintenance and self-defence, which is clarified in Vietnam’s Defence White Paper 2019. 

The country persists with the settlement of outstanding problems, differences and disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law; not joining military alliances, not joining one country against another, not letting foreign countries set up military bases or use Vietnam’s territories against others; and not using force or threatening to use force in international relations, the cabinet leader said.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosts a reception for foreign military leaders
(Photo: VNA)

He highlighted the 75-year development of VPA, noting that carrying out the defence policy on independence and self-mastery, Vietnam places importance on developing and stepping up defence cooperation with other countries on the basis of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, for the top goal of peace, independence and development.

Foreign military leaders showed their admiration for the VPA’s exploits and Vietnam’s national construction and development and wished Vietnam to successfully undertake the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2020 and the non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in the 2020-2021term.  The implementation of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM ) mechanism helps ensure security in the region and the world over, they added.

The Vietnamese Government and people greatly value the outcome of the defence cooperation over the recent past between Vietnam and foreign countries, both bilaterally and multilaterally, the PM said, emphasizing that the ADMM is the defence-security cooperation mechanism of the utmost importance in the region.

He also suggested foreign countries continue supporting Vietnam in successfully performing its ASEAN and UNSC roles.