Turkish Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler is paysing an official visit to Vietnam from September 10-11 at the invitation of General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, and Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence.

Welcoming Minister Yasar Guler and his delegation, General Phan Van Giang highlighted the significance of the visit as an important step in actively implementing defence cooperation commitments agreed by the two countries’ senior leaders in the Vietnam-Turkey Joint Statement during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Turkey in November 2023.

General Phan Van Giang affirmed that over nearly 50 years of diplomatic relations (1978–2025), the friendly and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Turkey has been continuously strengthened and developed. He noted that there remains huge potential for further cooperation, particularly defence links.

At their meeting, both sides discussed the global and regional situation and issues of mutual concern. General Phan Van Giang reiterated that Vietnam consistently pursues an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and development-oriented foreign policy, diversifying and multilateralizing international relations, while maintaining the “four no” defence policy.

Vietnam’s consistent stance is to resolve all disputes and disagreements through peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982); to uphold regional and international commitments, including the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and to support the early conclusion of a substantive, effective, and legally consistent Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.

Minister Phan Van Giang stated that defence cooperation has been actively promoted in recent years. The defence ministries of both countries have effectively realized agreed cooperation contents and achieved positive results, notably in areas such as high-level delegation exchanges, training, defence industry and military trade, UN peacekeeping, and multilateral cooperation. General Phan Van Giang also appreciated the coordination and efforts of relevant agencies from both sides in operating defence attaché offices in each country.

Regarding future defence cooperation, based on the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in July 2025, General Phan Van Giang proposed that both sides coordinate to effectively realize certain initiatives, including maintaining and increasing exchanges of delegations at all levels; enhancing training, defence industry cooperation, and UN peacekeeping; continuing mutual support in regional and international multilateral mechanisms and forums; and exploring cooperation and experience exchange in other areas such as naval and air forces, cybersecurity, non-traditional security response, in military engineering and mine clearance.

General Phan Van Giang also expressed appreciation to Minister Yasar Guler for sending a delegation led by a Deputy Minister of Defense, along with 11 reputable Turkish defence industry enterprises, to participate in the Vietnam International Defence Exhibition 2024, contributing to the event’s success. He confirmed Vietnam’s readiness to welcome defence enterprises and institutions, particularly those affiliated with the Turkish Ministry of Defence, to display products at future exhibitions.

For his part, Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler congratulated Vietnam on the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

Minister Yasar Guler affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner for Turkey in the Asia–Pacific region, adding that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Turkey in November 2023 provided strong momentum for bilateral relations. He expressed a desire to continue ramping up cooperation in all fields, with particular emphasis on defence.

Confident that his visit will contribute to strengthening Vietnam–Turkey relations, Minister Yasar Guler appreciated the proactive cooperation in training, particularly the historic deployment of a Turkish defence officer to Vietnam’s National Defense Academy, and pledged to continue sending officers for Vietnamese language training at the Military Science Academy. He also confirmed Turkey’s readiness to host Vietnamese officers and trainees for professional training programs in Turkey.

Minister Yasar Guler further hailed the joint efforts of both sides in establishing defense attaché offices as a contribution to enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.

On the same day, at the Presidential Palace, State President Luong Cuong received Minister Yasar Guler during his courtesy visit.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese State leader expressed confidence that the visit would contribute to reinforcing the Vietnam–Turkey relationship and bilateral defence cooperation. He said bilateral relations have seen positive developments consistent with new-era trends and reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to consolidating friendship with Turkey for the benefit of both peoples, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the wider world.

To ensure more substantive and effective Vietnam-Turkey defence cooperation, the President proposed that the two countries’ defene ministries continue to deepen bilateral defence relations based on the signed Defence Cooperation Agreement and agreed contents from the ministers’ bilateral meeting. The Vietnamese State will create the most favorable conditions for defence ministries to bolster cooperation according to each country’s capacities and needs.

Minister Yasar Guler, in turn, affirmed that his nation regards Vietnam as an important Asia–Pacific partner and hopes for stronger bilateral cooperation. He expressed readiness to share technology and contribute to modernizing Vietnam’s defence sector according to its needs.

Minister Yasar Guler also requested Vietnam’s support in expanding Turkey’s relations with ASEAN, as well as strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and broader bilateral relations.

On this occasion, through Minister Guler, President Luong Cuong extended a cordial invitation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

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