Defense Minister Phan Van Giang meets his Russian counterpart Andrey Removich Belousov in Moscow on August 13, 2024.

Mr. Giang was speaking during talks held in Moscow on Tuesday with his Russian counterpart Andrey Removich Belousov as part of his visit to Russia to attend the International Military-Technical Forum “Army-2024”.

He affirmed Vietnam’s "four Nos" defense policy (no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no hosting foreign military bases or using Vietnamese territory to oppose other countries, and no using force or threatening to use force in international relations).

Minister Giang reiterated that the Vietnamese people and People's Army always bear in mind the whole hearted support that Russia has given to Vietnam during its past struggle for national liberation and reunification and the current national construction and defence cause. 

Minister Belousov said Russia is ready to consider cooperation proposals by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence. He agreed to promote the signing of cooperation documents between the two sides in the coming time. 

Minister Giang emphasized Vietnam's consistent stance of resolving all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and international and regional commitments such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). He reiterated Vietnam’s support for the early signing of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is substantive, effective and legally binding.

The two ministers agreed that the two sides will continue to coordinate to promote defense cooperation, focusing on exchanging delegations at all levels; effectively maintaining existing cooperation mechanisms; human resources training; cooperation between military branches; scientific research cooperation within the framework of the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Centre; and effective