Algeria, Vietnam Discuss Strengthening Military and Defence Cooperation
Algiers, The Gulf Observer: General Saïd Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence and Chief of Staff of Algeria’s People’s National Army (PNA), has held talks with a delegation of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), led by General Nguyễn Trọng Nghĩa, Director of the VPA’s General Department of Politics.
During the meeting, Chanegriha welcomed Nghĩa and the Vietnamese delegation on their official visit to Algeria, describing the visit as a further step toward strengthening military cooperation and relations between the two armed forces.
He highlighted the deep historical and humanitarian ties between Algeria and Vietnam, which were forged through their respective struggles against colonialism and for national independence and reinforced by solidarity, mutual respect and trust.
Chanegriha noted that Vietnam’s 1954 Điện Biên Phủ victory had strongly inspired the Algerian struggle for independence and provided valuable experience in organizing and mobilizing forces during armed resistance against colonialism.
He also recalled Algeria’s solidarity and support for Vietnam during its struggle for national independence and reunification, saying the shared history of struggle provided a strong foundation for further developing bilateral friendship and cooperation.
The Algerian military leadership attaches importance to expanding cooperation with the VPA in areas including military history, training and the defence industry, Chanegriha said, reaffirming Algeria’s readiness to further strengthen ties between the two armed forces.
For his part, General Nghĩa said defence cooperation had achieved positive results in delegation exchanges, training, and information and communications based on the solid foundation of bilateral relations.
He expressed appreciation for Algeria’s support, including the dispatch of experts to Vietnam to teach French and Arabic and assistance in training Vietnamese military personnel in Algeria.
Nghĩa proposed further expanding defence cooperation, particularly in political and ideological work, through high-level delegation exchanges, training, defence industry, logistics, communications and public information.
He also suggested that Algeria consider increasing training quotas for Vietnamese military personnel in areas where it has expertise. He said Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence was ready to receive Algerian military trainees to study Vietnamese and participate in the International Defence Officials’ Course in Vietnam.
During the visit, Nghĩa presented Chanegriha with an Arabic-language copyright edition of the book “Điện Biên Phủ” by General Võ Nguyên Giáp. He expressed hope that the publication would contribute to a deeper understanding among the peoples of Vietnam and Algeria, particularly younger generations, of the Điện Biên Phủ victory and the two countries’ traditional friendship.
Nghĩa later paid a courtesy call on Major General Mabrouk Saba, Director of the Information and Communications Department of the PNA General Staff.
Saba underscored the historic bonds between Vietnam and Algeria, saying their shared liberation struggles provided a foundation for further strengthening solidarity and traditional friendship.
The two sides also discussed opportunities for greater cooperation in information and communications. Nghĩa shared Vietnam’s experience in political education, communications, culture, arts, emulation and commendation, emphasizing their role in strengthening the political resolve and confidence of military personnel.
He proposed enhanced coordination in promoting patriotism, solidarity and friendship between the two peoples, sharing information on strategic cooperation and military-building achievements, and exchanging experience in communications work amid digital transformation.
Earlier, Nghĩa and the VPA delegation laid flowers at a memorial stele dedicated to President Hồ Chí Minh and at the Martyrs’ Memorial in Algiers.
The delegation also visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria, where Nghĩa called for continued implementation of Vietnam’s foreign policy and the priorities set by the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Regarding overseas Vietnamese affairs, he urged the embassy to pay close attention to Vietnamese nationals in Algeria, including long-settled families and those who have recently arrived for work or study.
Nghĩa emphasized that overseas Vietnamese are an integral part of the Vietnamese nation and an important resource for national development, while expressing hope that the embassy would continue serving as a bridge to further strengthen Vietnam-Algeria friendship and contribute to national development.
