Deputy Defence Minister Hoàng Xuân Chiến (left) had talks with Russian Ambassador to Việt Nam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko on Monday in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Pha

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Defence Minister Hoàng Xuân Chiến has asked the Russian Ambassador to Việt Nam to promote defence cooperation between Việt Nam and Russia.

At a reception for Russian Ambassador Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko in Hà Nội on Monday, the deputy minister stressed that Việt Nam always treasures the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.

He said along with the good development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, defence cooperation has continued to be rolled out effectively in the fields of delegation exchange, training, scientific research in the framework of the Việt Nam-Russia Tropical Centre, military technology and military history.

Chiến proposed that the two sides continue to effectively implement the defence cooperation plan for 2023, especially joint activities of the two defence ministries such as the 6th defence strategic dialogue at the deputy defence minister level, and the conference of the Coordinating Committee for the Việt Nam-Russia Tropical Centre.

He urged Russia to accelerate assistance for the building of dossiers on the 70-year defence cooperation between Việt Nam and the Soviet Union/Russia Federation, and expand collaboration in cyber security and strategic research.

Ambassador Bezdetko affirmed that the Russian defence ministry always wants to strengthen cooperation with the Vietnamese defence ministry under signed documents. He pledged to make the best possible preparations for the joint activities of leaders of the two defence ministries. — VNS