(VOVworld) – Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh says his visit aims to raise defense cooperation to the level of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

The welcome ceremony for Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh (Photo: VNA)

Thanh told his Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu during talks in Moscow on Wednesday that both sides need to develop bilateral defense ties in a deep, effective and sustainable manner to meet the actual needs of each side in line with signed agreements. The Defense Ministries of Vietnam and Russia have signed agreements on exchanges of delegations, national defense policies and strategies, training, and cooperation in military technology. General Thanh said effective defense cooperation will help strengthen the traditional friendship, and consolidate mutually beneficial relations within the strategic partnership framework to ensure a peaceful and stable environment for national development, without targeting a third country. Shoigu said Russia will cooperate closely with Vietnam in staff training, military technology, and naval affairs, and will create the best possible conditions for stronger cooperation in these areas.