HÀ NỘI — Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hoà Bình has said Russia is a key partner in Việt Nam's foreign policy and Việt Nam-Russia ties have been developing fruitfully, with defence a key pillar.

Bình made the statement during a reception in Hà Nội on Tuesday for Sen. Lieut. Gen. Andrey Kartapolov, Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the Main Directorate for Political-Military Affairs of the Russian Armed Forces.

He spoke highly of bilateral defence and military technical co-operation in recent years. The defence ministries have held activities during the Việt Nam-Russia Year and Russia-Việt Nam Year 2019-2020. The Vietnamese army sent eight teams to the 2019 International Army Games and a naval vessel to Russia for the first time.

Việt Nam is ready to assist Russia in developing ties with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and joining regional security mechanisms, he said.

The Deputy PM suggested Russia join the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) mechanism, especially in 2020 when Việt Nam is ASEAN Chair.

Bình affirmed support for the enhancement of relations between the General Political Department of the Vietnamese People’s Army and the Main Directorate for Political-Military Affairs, initially in fields such as political and ideological education, personnel training, military communications, the fight against “peaceful evolution”, colour revolution and riots and military social sciences.

The Deputy PM proposed the two defence ministries continue fostering ties in line with bilateral conventions and international agreements.

He expressed delight at Russia’s training of military officers for Việt Nam, adding that the Government backs the organisation of the Army Games in Việt Nam.

Kartapolov, for his part, said Russia treasures ties between the two nations, considering it a prioritised task.

He promised to help the Vietnamese army in every aspect, saying the Russian defence ministry is ready to assist Việt Nam in hosting the Army Games.

The Russian Deputy Minister also said he believed bilateral defence ties would grow further in the future. — VNS