Vietnam and Singapore armies strengthen trust, comprehensive and practical cooperation

(Chinhphu.vn) - General Phan Van Giang suggested that in the coming time, the two sides continue to strengthen trustworthy, comprehensive, substantive, and focused cooperation in all fields, continue to support each other at multilateral defense and security forums within ASEAN and international events organized by each side.

Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang holds talks with Mr. Chan Chun Sing, Minister of Defense of Singapore - Photo: VGP/Nhat Nam

On July 22, right after the welcoming ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense, General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense, held talks with Mr. Chan Chun Sing, Minister of Defense of Singapore on the occasion of his visit to the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam.

At the meeting, General Phan Van Giang congratulated Mr. Chan Chun Sing on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Singapore Armed Forces (July 1, 1965 - July 1, 2025).

General Phan Van Giang emphasized that Vietnam and Singapore are two active members of the ASEAN common house and have good friendly relations.

The two countries have many similar potentials, advantages and strategic interests. The upgrading of the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March 2025 is a historic milestone, opening a new chapter in the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries, including defense cooperation.

General Phan Van Giang assessed that over the past time, bilateral defense cooperation has achieved good, comprehensive, and substantive results, making important contributions to strengthening political trust between the two countries, in which: Exchanges of delegations at all levels have been focused on; mechanisms for consultation, dialogue, information exchange, and communication have been effectively maintained, especially the defense policy dialogue mechanism; cooperation between military branches, services, security, maritime safety, and training continues to be a bright spot; actively consulting and supporting each other at multilateral forums and mechanisms.

General Phan Van Giang sincerely thanked the Singaporean Ministry of National Defense for providing the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense with scholarships for specialized training and language training; receiving officers of the Vietnamese Navy, Coast Guard and Border Guard to work at the Maritime Security Information Sharing Center (IFC); and for supporting and sending a high-ranking delegation to attend the 80th Anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army, the 35th Anniversary of National Defense Day and the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024.

General Phan Van Giang suggested that in the coming time, the two sides continue to strengthen trust, comprehensiveness, substance, and focus on the following areas: Exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones; effectively maintain existing consultation and dialogue mechanisms; training; military and service cooperation; military medicine; enhance sharing of professional experience and exchanges of young officers; continue to consult and support each other at multilateral defense and security forums within ASEAN and international events organized by each side.

On the Singaporean side, Minister of Defense Chan Chun Sing emphasized the close bilateral defense cooperation between Singapore and Vietnam. Mr. Chan Chun Sing said that the two sides need to further promote bilateral defense cooperation, commensurate with the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Mr. Chan Chun Sing expressed his agreement with the contents of the discussion of General Phan Van Giang; affirmed his readiness to welcome officers of the Vietnam People's Army to study in Singapore; and agreed that the two sides will continue to effectively maintain consultation and dialogue mechanisms, especially towards the success of the upcoming defense policy dialogue to be held in Vietnam.

Phuong Lien

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/quan-doi-viet-nam-va-singapore-tang-cuong-hop-tac-tin-cay-toan-dien-thuc-chat-102250722113326161.htm