Russia and Vietnam agree to strengthen defense and security cooperation during Putin’s visit

June 20 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The presidents of Russia and Vietnam, Vladimir Putin and To Lam, respectively, agreed this Thursday to strengthen their cooperation in defense and security during the visit of the Russian president, who is touring several Asian countries in an attempt to reinforce its alliances at the international level.

After the meeting, the Vietnamese president highlighted the importance of deepening bilateral relations between both countries during a press conference in Hanoi, the country’s capital. Thus, he has indicated that both leaders have committed to avoid “agreeing on alliances or agreements with third parties to the detriment of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the two countries.

In this sense, his conversations with Putin have been described as “fruitful” and he has shown support for an “egalitarian and indivisible security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region based on International Law.” In addition, he has called for playing a “central role” within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“We have good opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy. (…) We have already included in Vietnam’s general energy development plan a joint project that includes the construction of an offshore wind farm with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts in Binh Thuan province , in the south of the country,” Putin highlighted after the meeting, according to Russian media.

Putin has also urged the use of national currencies in transactions with Vietnam, something he considers “important.” “We seek to articulate stable channels for cooperation between our banks,” he said.

During what is now his fifth visit to Vietnam, the Russian leader also plans to meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong; and the head of the Vietnamese National Assembly, Tran Thanh Man.

His visit occurred just one day after he made a two-day official trip to North Korea, where he met with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, with whom he signed a “strategic” agreement that includes a mutual defense pact in case of aggression.