VN, Russia strengthen defence cooperation

General Luong Cuong, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission’s standing board, and Director of the General Department of Politics of the Viet Nam People’s Army, on October 22 held talks with visiting Sen. Lieut. Gen. Andrey Kartapolov, Russian Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of Main Directorate for Political-Military Affairs of the Russian Armed Forces.

The talks took place after a welcome ceremony held for a high-ranking delegation from the Russian Defence Ministry, headed by Kartapolov.

The delegation is on their official trip to Viet Nam from October 21 to 24, as part of the Viet Nam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Viet Nam.

At the function, both officials agreed that the Viet Nam – Russia comprehensive strategic partnership has grown robustly, with high-ranking leaders of the nations maintaining frequent contacts.

So far this year, the two defence ministries have coordinated nearly 70 diplomatic activities, including 12 within the framework of the Viet Nam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Viet Nam.

The officials also discussed cooperation in educating political-military and patriotism subjects for soldiers. Cuong took the occasion to inform the Russian guest of Viet Nam’s experience in implementing political and cultural activities as well as policies targeting army men.

For his part, Kartapolov thanked the Vietnamese Defence Ministry for supporting multilateral activities hosted by its Russian peer and praised results achieved by the Vietnamese team at the International Army Games 2019.

He affirmed his willingness to back and join events held by Viet Nam as Chair of ASEAN next year.

Both host and guest put forth and reached an agreement on measures to enhance collaboration between the two political departments. They also signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the sides.

While in Viet Nam, the Russian delegation has been scheduled to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a number of defence agencies, and historical-cultural sites in Ha Noi and Quang Ninh./. - VNA