Russia to assist Vietnam in naval development

Speaking at a press conference after a talk with Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh, visiting Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu this morning said Russia would help Vietnam in submarine building and crew training.




Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh (R) receives Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Hanoi - Photo: VietNamNet

“Within this year, the two countries’ common effort is to open a new page in the history of development of Vietnam’s navy,” Shoigu, who started his visit to Vietnam on March 4, said.

Russia will help Vietnam train crews and build new naval ships. This is an important part in the cooperation between the naval forces of the two countries, Shoigu said.

He also expressed his thanks for Vietnam’s invitation of Russian naval veterans who once helped Vietnam in the past to visit Vietnam for relaxation and medical treatment.

He said he hoped that a tourist resort intended for Russian soldiers will be set up in Vietnam soon.

Regarding the Vietnamese side’s suggestion to establish an annual defense dialogue mechanism between the two countries, Shoigu said he totally supported the suggestion and hoped that such a mechanism could be operational within this year.

For his part, General Thanh said that the visit to Vietnam by the Russian Defense Minister manifested the respect for the bilateral friendship cooperation in defense between the two countries.

"Our talk took place in the spirit of friendship, openness, reliability and mutual understanding," Thanh said.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) and his Vietnamese counterpart General Phung Quang Thanh at the press conference held after their talk on March 5 (Photo: VnExpress)

“We have discussed cooperation in military techniques. Vietnam will continue purchasing weapons from Russia and Vietnam’s military units will cooperate with Russian counterparts for mutual benefits,” Thanh said.

Regarding the Cam Ranh Port, Thanh told the press that the port, a strategic seaport, had been planned into three areas – one for military use, another for technical logistics services and the other for civil purposes.

Vietnam allows naval ships from all countries, not only Russia, to arrive at the port for logistics and repair services, Thanh said.

Before the talk, Shoigu laid a wreath at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi.

Shoygu’s visit to Vietnam was made at General Thanh’s invitation and is his first working visit to the country since he took up the ministerial position last November.

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