Vietnam will make all efforts to, together with Russia, continue
developing the two countries’ relations in a deep and effective manner
in all fields, including defence, President Truong Tan Sang has said.
Sang made the statement at a reception in Hanoi on
March 5 for Russian Defence Minister General Sergei Shoigu, now on a
working visit to Vietnam for the first time since he took up the
ministerial position last November.
The
President highly valued the outcomets of the talks between Shoigu and
his Vietnamese counterpart Gen. Phung Quang Thanh, and said he believed
that the visit will contribute practically to boosting the bilateral
multi-faceted cooperation.
Over the past years,
despite the difference in political mechanisms, the two countries’
cooperation has been effective and enjoyed fine development in line with
the comprehensive strategic partnership and each nation’s interests,
Sang said, adding that Vietnam is always grateful to the former Soviet
Union and Russia for their wholehearted and effective assistance to the
country during its national liberation and reunification in the past and
construction and socio-economic development at present.
The Vietnamese leader expressed his hope that in his new position,
Shoigu will contribute to strengthening the two sides’ defence
cooperation.
Shoigu affirmed that he will do his
utmost to effectively implement signed cooperation agreements on
military and military technology.
Earlier, Shoigu held talks with Vietnamese Defence Minister Thanh.
The two ministers exchanged views on national, regional and
international issues, reviewed the results of the cooperation between
the two ministries over the past years, as well as worked out
cooperation directions in the time to come.
The
guest said that the two armies’ cooperation has yet to match each
country’s potential and demand. He suggested the two sides strengthen
delegation exchanges and carry out specific orientations to lift the
bilateral defence ties to a new height, suitable to the two countries’
traditional friendship and matching their comprehensive strategic
partnership.
Both host and guest agreed that in the
coming time, the two armies need to focus on the fields of military and
military technology that they have capacity. -VNA