Hanoi (VNA) - General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence, hosted a reception for General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman, Chief of Defence Forces of Malaysia, in Hanoi on August 15.

Giang underlined that Vietnam and Malaysia are neighbours linked by the sea and active and responsible members of ASEAN, adding Vietnam attaches great importance to promoting the strategic partnership with Malaysia and supports Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair in 2025.

Expressing his delight at the growth of the Vietnam-Malaysia relations with increasing political trust and strengthened cooperation in culture, education, tourism and people-to-people exchange, he affirmed that bilateral defence collaboration has made important contributions to the general achievements in ties between the two countries.

Noting that his delegation's visit shows the sound cooperation between the two countries and two militaries, and aims to realising the memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation signed by the two Governments in December 2023, General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman said that all countries should work together in the current context of mixed and multi-dimensional global challenges.

Briefing his host on the outcomes of his talks with Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, the Malaysian defence chief said that the two sides evaluated the results of cooperation over the years and discussed measures to promote and deepen cooperation.

Giang hailed the outcomes of the talks, and highly valued cooperation between the two militaries over the years, especially in delegation exchange, training, and mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms.

He suggested that in the coming time, the two militaries continue to fully and effectively implement the deputy ministerial defence policy dialogue mechanism, while establishing mechanisms of air force consultations and exchange for young officers, promoting collaboration in promising areas such as defence industry, military medicine, United Nations peacekeeping, and continuing to consult and support each other at multilateral forums.

He told the guest that the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam will organise the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the VPA and the second Vietnam International Defence Exhibition in December, General Giang extended his invitation to the Malaysian Defence Minister, and expressed his hope💫 that leaders of the Malaysian Armed Forces and General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman will support Malaysian defece delegations to attend the events, underlining that Vietnam also welcomes Malaysian defence industry enterprises to join the exhibition./.