Belarus, Vietnam agree to step up military cooperation

December 17, Pozirk. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Chenin and his Vietnamese counterpart General Phan Van Giang have signed a protocol confirming mutual intentions to strengthen defense ties.

The Belarusian official, currently visiting Hanoi, described Vietnam as “one of the most significant partners” of Belarus in Southeast Asia, the defense ministry’s press office reported.

“I believe that the successful interaction is based on similar principles of foreign policy, primarily a commitment to peaceful settlement of international problems and . . .  not against other countries,” he said.

Belarus is ready to help other countries improve their defense capabilities provided they pursue a friendly policy toward it, the official added.

He praised Vietnam for a “worthy contribution” to regional and global peace, citing its participation in UN peacekeeping missions, humanitarian aid, search and rescue operations and hoping to expand bilateral ties in these areas.

Phan Van Giang reportedly accepted Chenin’s invitation to visit Minsk in May.

Chrenin arrived in Vietnam yesterday and is expected to participate in Vietnam Defense Expo 2024.

Two months ago, Alaksandar Łukašenka praised Vietnam’s newly elected President Luong Cuong for promoting defense and security cooperation between Belarus and Vietnam during his eight-year tenure as the political department’s chief at the Vietnam People’s Army.

Minsk and Hanoi prefer a multipolar world order and have similar approaches to international politics, the Belarusian ruler said earlier, stressing the priority of security issues in bilateral relations.

A few weeks ago, Vietnam arrested and extradited to Belarus Vasil Vieramiejčyk, a Belarusian volunteer who fought Russia in Ukraine.

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