Visit by First Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveiko: Strengthening Vietnam-Belarus defense cooperation
WVR - On October 20, at the Ministry of Defense headquarters, General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of Defense, hosted the welcoming ceremony for the delegation led by Major General Pavel Muraveiko, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense of Belarus.
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| Visit by First Deputy Defense Pavel Muraveiko: General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of Defense and Major General Pavel Muraveiko, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Belarus. (Photo: Pham Hai) |
As part of the 2025 defense foreign affairs program, the delegation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense of Belarus is making an official visit to Vietnam from October 19-22, 2025.
On October 20, at the Ministry of Defense headquarters, General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of Defense, hosted the welcoming ceremony for the delegation led by Major General Pavel Muraveiko, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense of Belarus.
Immediately following the ceremony, the two sides held talks. General Nguyen Tan Cuong affirmed that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Belarus has been continuously strengthened and nurtured. The two nations elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership during General Secretary To Lam's state visit to Belarus in early May 2025, with defense relations playing a crucial role in the bilateral ties.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army noted that defense cooperation between the two countries has been effectively implemented, aligning with the overall bilateral relations and achieving positive outcomes in various areas: exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level delegations; cooperation between military branches and units of the two Ministries of Defense, training cooperation, military science cooperation...
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| General Nguyen Tan Cuong and Major General Pavel Muraveiko review the honor guard. (Photo: Pham Hai) |
During the talks, both sides shared views on global and regional situations and issues of mutual concern. General Nguyen Tan Cuong emphasized that ASEAN is a key factor in shaping the regional structure through ASEAN-led mechanisms. Vietnam supports and collaborates with members to consolidate ASEAN's central role, enhance solidarity, unity within the bloc, narrow differences, and promote substantive cooperation with partners.
Regarding the South China Sea, Vietnam is committed to resolving all disputes peacefully, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; effectively and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and swiftly concluding negotiations and signing a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
Vietnam pursues an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy; being a friend, a reliable partner, and an active, responsible member of the international community, adhering to the "four no's" defense policy (no military alliances; no siding with one country against another; no foreign military bases or use of Vietnamese territory against other countries; no use of force or threat of force in international relations), for common interests, sustainable development, and prosperity in the region and the world.
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| The delegations of both countries take a commemorative photo. (Photo: Pham Hai) |
Regarding future defense cooperation directions, General Nguyen Tan Cuong proposed that both sides continue to closely coordinate to effectively promote the following: Maintain delegation exchanges and high-level contacts; effectively implement cooperation content identified in signed documents; maintain exchanges and cooperation between military branches of the two armies; enhance cooperation in training, military sports; continue to support and actively participate in international defense exhibitions organized by each side; and explore other potential cooperation areas such as military science and military medicine.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army expressed confidence that this visit by the delegation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Belarus will further consolidate and strengthen bilateral defense cooperation, contributing to the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and Belarus, for the benefit of the peoples of both countries, for peace, stability, and common development.
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| The two sides hold talks. (Photo: Pham Hai) |
Affirming that Vietnam and Belarus share many similarities and have both experienced periods of struggle for independence and national liberation, Major General Pavel Muraveiko acknowledged the achievements in proactive bilateral international cooperation.
Noting that there is still much potential for defense cooperation between the two countries, Major General Pavel Muraveiko agreed with Vietnam's perspective on the global and regional situation and the results of defense cooperation between the two countries; he also affirmed that the Republic of Belarus is ready to cooperate with countries with friendly policies, working together for peace, stability, and development.
Expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam for accepting Belarusian military personnel to study Vietnamese, Major General Pavel Muraveiko affirmed that this is an opportunity for Belarus to enhance understanding of Vietnamese culture, land, and people, contributing to promoting relations between the two countries.
On this occasion, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense of Belarus proposed that the two countries continue to promote cooperation in training, military sports...
