Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus paid an official visit to Vietnam

Photo caption — General Nguyen Tan Cuong and Major General Muraveiko Pavel Nikolaevich inspect the Vietnam People's Army Honor Guard at the welcoming ceremony. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA

On the morning of October 20, at the Headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense , General Nguyen Tan Cuong, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Minister of National Defense chaired the welcoming ceremony for the delegation led by Major General Pavel Muraveiko, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces - First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Belarus.

Immediately after the welcoming ceremony, the two sides held talks. General Nguyen Tan Cuong affirmed that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Belarus has been continuously strengthened and nurtured over the past time. The two countries upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership during the State visit to Belarus in early May 2025 by General Secretary To Lam , in which defense relations play an important role in the relationship between the two countries.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army assessed that, in recent times, the defense cooperation relationship between the two countries has been effectively implemented, in line with the overall bilateral relationship, achieving positive results in the following areas: Exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level delegations; cooperation between the armies, services and agencies and units of the two countries' Ministries of National Defense, training cooperation, military science cooperation...

At the talks, the two sides shared their views on the world and regional situation and issues of mutual concern. General Nguyen Tan Cuong emphasized that ASEAN is a key factor in shaping the regional structure through ASEAN-led mechanisms. Vietnam supports and, together with its members, consolidates ASEAN's central role, strengthens solidarity and unity within the bloc, narrows differences, and promotes substantive cooperation with partners.

Regarding the East Sea, Vietnam persistently resolves all disagreements in the East Sea by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; effectively and fully implements the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and promptly concludes negotiations and signs a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Vietnam pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development; is a friend, a reliable partner and an active, responsible member of the international community, persistently pursuing the "four no's" defense policy (no participation in military alliances; no ally with one country to fight another; no allowing foreign countries to set up military bases or use Vietnamese territory to fight against other countries; no use of force or threat of force in international relations), for the common interest, sustainable development and prosperity in the region and the world.

Regarding the direction of defense cooperation in the coming time, General Nguyen Tan Cuong suggested that the two sides continue to coordinate closely to effectively promote the following contents: Maintain delegation exchanges and contacts at high and all levels; effectively implement cooperation contents identified in signed documents; maintain forms of exchange and cooperation between the two countries' military branches and services; strengthen cooperation in the fields of training and military sports; continue to support and actively participate in international defense exhibitions organized by each side; and at the same time, research other potential areas of cooperation such as military science and military medicine.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army expressed his belief that this visit of the Delegation of Chiefs of the General Staff of the Armed Forces - First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Belarus will contribute to consolidating and further strengthening bilateral defense cooperation in particular, contributing to the traditional friendship and the Vietnam - Belarus Strategic Partnership, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability and common development.

Affirming that Vietnam and Belarus are two countries with many similarities, having gone through the same period of struggle for independence and national liberation, Major General Pavel Muraveiko acknowledged the results achieved in recent times in active bilateral international cooperation. Believing that there is still much room for defense cooperation between the two countries, Major General Pavel Muraveiko agreed with Vietnam's viewpoint on the world and regional situation, and the results of defense cooperation between the two countries; at the same time, he affirmed that the Republic of Belarus is ready to cooperate with countries with friendly policies, working together for peace, stability and development.

Thanking the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense for accepting Belarusian soldiers to study Vietnamese, Major General Pavel Muraveiko affirmed that this is an opportunity for the Belarusian side to enhance understanding of Vietnamese culture, country and people, contributing to promoting relations between the two countries. On this occasion, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces - First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Belarus suggested that in the coming time, the two countries continue to promote cooperation in training, military sports...

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/tong-tham-muu-truong-cac-luc-luong-vu-trang-cong-hoa-belarus-tham-chinh-thuc-viet-nam-20251020120912922.htm