Minister of National Defence, General Phan Văn Giang, had talks with General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman, Chief of Defence Forces of Malaysia, in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Pha

HÀ NỘI — General Phan Văn Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence, hosted a reception for General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman, Chief of Defence Forces of Malaysia, in Hà Nội on Thursday.

Giang underlined that Việt Nam and Malaysia are neighbours linked by the sea and active and responsible members of ASEAN, adding Việt Nam attaches great importance to promoting the strategic partnership with Malaysia and supports Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair in 2025.

Expressing his delight at the growth of the Việt Nam-Malaysia relations with increasing political trust and strengthened cooperation in culture, education, tourism and people-to-people exchange, he affirmed that bilateral defence collaboration has made important contributions to the general achievements in ties between the two countries.

Noting that his delegation's visit shows the sound cooperation between the two countries and two militaries and aims to realise the memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation signed by the two Governments in December 2023, General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman said that all countries should work together in the current context of mixed and multi-dimensional global challenges.

Briefing his host on the outcomes of his talks with Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyễn Tân Cương, Chief of the General Staff of the Việt Nam People's Army, the Malaysian defence chief said that the two sides evaluated the results of cooperation over the years and discussed measures to promote and deepen their bond.

Giang hailed the talks' outcomes and highly valued cooperation between the two militaries over the years, especially in delegation exchange, training, and mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms.

He suggested that the two militaries continue to fully and effectively implement the deputy ministerial defence policy dialogue mechanism, while establishing mechanisms of air force consultations and exchange for young officers, promoting collaboration in promising areas such as defence industry, military medicine, United Nations peacekeeping and continuing to consult and support each other at multilateral forums.

He told the guest that the Ministry of National Defence of Việt Nam will organise the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the VPA and the second Việt Nam International Defence Exhibition in December, General Giang extended his invitation to the Malaysian Defence Minister, and expressed his hope that leaders of the Malaysian Armed Forces and General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman will support Malaysian defence delegations to attend the events, underlining that Vietnam would also welcome Malaysian defence industry enterprises. — VNS