General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman, Chief of Malaysia’s Defence Force (right) and Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyễn Tân Cương, Chief of the General Staff of the Việt Nam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence reviewed the VPA guards of honour at the welcome ceremony in Hà Nội on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức

HÀ NỘI — General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman, Chief of Malaysia’s Defence Force, is paying an official visit to Việt Nam from August 13-16, at an invitation of Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyễn Tân Cương, Chief of the General Staff of the Việt Nam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence.

After an official welcome ceremony for the Malaysian defence force chief in Hà Nội on Wednesday, the two officers held talks, during which Cương affirmed that the visit will create new momentum for cooperation between the two armies, and contribute actively to the two countries’ relations, for peace, cooperation, development and prosperity in the region and the world.

According to the Chief of the General Staff of the VPA, in recent times, on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation between the two Governments signed in December 2023 during the official visit to Việt Nam by the Malaysian Minister of Defence, bilateral military and defence cooperation has been promoted, producing substantial results in exchanging delegations at all levels, effectively maintaining the naval consultation mechanism, sharing experiences between the air forces of the two countries, training, and supporting each other at multilateral forums and international events hosted by each country.

Affirming that potential for bilateral defence collaboration remains huge, Cương proposed both sides continue to effectively implement the common perceptions of the two countries’ senior leaders and the contents of the MoU on defence cooperation, with focus on stepping up all-level delegation exchanges; maintaining the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms and promptly establishing a defence policy dialogue mechanism at the deputy ministerial level, an air force consultation mechanism, and exchanges of young officers; boosting cooperation in defence industry, military medicine, search and rescue, and participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions; and continuing to actively support each other at multilateral forums and mechanisms, particularly the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+), and others.

He took the occasion to invite General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman and other leaders of the Malaysian army to attend the celebration of the 80th founding anniversary of the VPA and the Việt Nam International Defence Expo 2024, slated for December.

The Malaysian general said that his visit provides an opportunity for both sides to advance their cooperation in various fields in a practical and effective manner, and share common perspectives to further enhance collaboration in addressing security challenges, especially non-traditional security threats.

In the current context of complex and multifaceted global challenges, he said that countries need to coordinate more closely.

At the talks, the two sides exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual concern, and highly appreciated ASEAN's important role in shaping and maintaining the regional security architecture, as well as promoting substantive cooperation among member states and between ASEAN and its partners.

Regarding maritime issues, Cương emphasised that Việt Nam is committed to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight; solving all disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); effectively and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and working towards the establishment of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law. — VNS