Vietnam, Indonesia pledge to strengthen defense cooperation

Vietnam’s Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang and his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin reached the agreement during their meeting in Hanoi on Tuesday, as part of the latter’s two-day official visit to Vietnam from July 29 to 30.

General Giang said that Vietnam and Indonesia are neighboring countries sharing a maritime border, and both are active, responsible members of the ASEAN community.

He pointed out that the recent elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership marks a historic milestone, ushering in a new chapter in their relationship, with political, defense, and security cooperation at its core.

In recent years, defense cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia has yielded positive results across multiple fields, contributing significantly to strengthening political trust between the two nations.

Minister Giang called on both sides to continue promoting effective cooperation through regular exchanges at all levels, coordination among armed services, military training initiatives, and collaboration in the defense industry.

Addressing maritime issues, Minister Giang reiterated Vietnam’s firm stance on resolving all disagreements in the East Vietnam Sea through peaceful means, in accordance with international law.

In response, Minister Sjamsoeddin highlighted the steady growth of bilateral defense cooperation grounded in mutual trust, underscoring that his visit marks an important milestone in Indonesia–Vietnam defense relations.

He proposed enhancing multifaceted cooperation within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership, which was established during Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Indonesia in March.

Both ministers agreed to maintain close consultations and extend mutual support in multilateral forums and at international events hosted by either country.

General Giang extended congratulations to Indonesia on successfully organizing the 10th Indonesia International Defense Expo in June, and expressed high appreciation for Indonesia’s participation in the 2024 Vietnam International Defense Expo.

During his two-day visit, Minister Sjamsoeddin offered incense at the monument to war heroes and martyrs on Bac Son Street and laid wreaths at President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum in Hanoi.