Vietnam, Russia Strengthen Maritime and Defence Cooperation

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Minister of National Defence General Phan Văn Giang on Monday held talks with Nikolai Patrushev, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board, during the latter’s official visit to Vietnam.

Welcoming Patrushev, Minister Giang underlined the significance of the Russian official’s working trip, noting that it contributes to implementing the major directions for the Vietnam – Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new phase of cooperation, as agreed by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and Russian President Vladimir Putin in May 2025.

The minister affirmed that the people of Vietnam always cherish the immense and sincere support extended by the former Soviet Union and today’s Russian Federation in both the historic struggle for national independence and reunification and the ongoing task of national development and safeguarding.

Giang highlighted that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence has recently inaugurated the Vietnam – Soviet Union solidarity and friendship monument at the Military History Museum to honour Soviet military experts who assisted Vietnam. Together with existing monuments in Cam Ranh (Khánh Hoà) and Moscow commemorating shared sacrifices, the new memorial is expected to further deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Commending Russia’s maritime power, Giang expressed confidence that Moscow would continue contributing positively to global peace, stability, and prosperity. He also reiterated Vietnam’s policy of becoming a strong maritime nation, stressing sustainable marine economic development in close connection with national defence, security, and international cooperation.

On the East Sea (South China Sea) issue, Giang reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent stance of resolving disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He emphasised the importance of fully observing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and expediting negotiations for an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC).

Both sides reviewed progress in bilateral defence cooperation, including naval collaboration, training, marine scientific research within the framework of the Vietnam – Russia Tropical Centre, and experience-sharing in border management and protection. Giang proposed further consultation and cooperation in maritime areas of mutual concern, while expressing hope that ties between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence and Russia’s Maritime Board would continue to grow on the basis of mutual benefit and international law.

For his part, Patrushev appreciated the warm reception and noted that maritime cooperation has been an important contributor to enhancing defence ties between the two countries, in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He emphasised that bilateral cooperation in the maritime field still holds much potential, particularly in naval cooperation, education and training, and marine scientific research.

Concluding the talks, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on consultation in the maritime field between Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence and Russia’s Maritime Board.