Vietnam and Mongolia foster defense cooperation

The agreement was reached during talks in Ulaanbaatar between Mongolian Defense Minister Gürsediin Saikhanbayar and his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang who is in Ulaanbaatar on an official visit to Mongolia.

The two sides agreed to maintain high-level contacts and exchanges at all levels, increase cooperation in the defense industry, military medicine, training, and cultural exchanges, and share experiences in engaging in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Saikhanbayar affirmed that Vietnam holds a particularly important position in Mongolia’s foreign policy.

Mongolia always attaches importance to developing relations with Vietnam, a key partner in Southeast Asia, serving as a bridge to develop relations between Mongolia and other countries in Southeast Asia, he said.

Giang for his part briefed his host on Vietnam’s foreign policy and defense line, saying Vietnam prioritises developing cooperative relations with traditional friends, including Mongolia.

He respectfully invited the Mongolian minister to attend the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024.

Both host and guest exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for cooperation and development in the East Sea, not only for coastal but also landlocked countries.

After the talks, the two ministries witnessed the signing of a document on the exchange of delegations between the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam and the Ministry of Defense of Mongolia.

Receiving Minister Phan Van Giang the same day, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh affirmed that he would create conditions for the two defense ministries to promote cooperation on a par with the fine political relations between the two countries.

He expressed his belief that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Mongolia would be taken to new heights, for the benefit of the two peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the wider world.

Minister Giang briefed his host on the results of his earlier talks with the Mongolian Defense Minister, and said Vietnamese leaders are looking forwards to meeting the Mongolian President on his visit to Hanoi in early November 2023.