Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính (right) held a reception for visiting Mongolian Minister of Defence Saikhanbayar Gursed on Tuesday in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam always considers Mongolia an important partner in the region, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính told Mongolian Minister of Defence Saikhanbayar Gursed on Tuesday.

At a reception held in Hà Nội for the minister, who is on an official visit and will attend the Việt Nam International Defence Expo 2022, the Vietnamese Government leader said he believes that the visit will contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and lifting the traditional friendships between the two countries and defence cooperation to new heights.

The two sides are pleased to see that the relationship between Việt Nam and Mongolia has been continuously consolidated and developed after nearly 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Cooperation in the fields of politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, investment, agriculture, and education has been promoted by leaders at all levels and produced practical results.

They shared the view that in the context of complicated developments globally and regionally, it is necessary to strengthen their solidarity and enhance mutual trust, understanding and support.

Việt Nam shares Mongolia's socio-economic difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the world situation, and wishes to boost economic, trade and investment cooperation with Mongolia, PM Chính said. 

He suggested the two sides continue to exchange high-level delegations, bolster political-diplomatic relations, support each other at multilateral forums, step up cooperation in education and training, people-to-people exchanges, and agriculture, as well as study the opening of direct air routes connecting the two countries.

Chính asked the Mongolian minister to continue promoting the relationship between the two ministries of defence and the two armies to commensurate with the collaboration framework.

Minister Gursed emphasised that Việt Nam has a special place in Mongolia's foreign policy and is an important partner in the region. The two countries always support and help each other. Mongolia considers Việt Nam a reliable partner; highly appreciates the development of Việt Nam and wishes to upgrade relations with Việt Nam, he said.

Gursed briefed the host about the results of his visit to Việt Nam, as well as the cooperation activities between the two Ministries of Defence and the two armies. He also expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation in officer training, military medicine, military sports, and exchange of experiences in participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The Mongolian official said that he would report to the Mongolian leadership the Vietnamese PM's proposals and pledged to work to promote collaboration in the areas that the Vietnamese leader mentioned.

The same day, Minister of Defence Phan Văn Giang held talks with the visiting Mongolian minister, during which they acknowledged the constant and substantive development of bilateral relations in all fields.

They agreed that the two sides have effectively implemented the agreement between the two governments on defence cooperation signed in 2019, and vowed to continue to maintain high-level contacts and exchanges at all levels; improve the quality and efficiency of training cooperation and the sharing of experiences in participating in UN peacekeeping operations.

On this occasion, the two sides also exchanged assessments on world and regional situations and issues of mutual concern. They underlined the importance of preserving an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the South China Sea. — VNS