Vietnam attaches importance to defence ties with Russia, affirmed Nguyen Chi Vinh, member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Defence Minister, at a reception in Hanoi on September 20 for Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin Vnukov.

Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh receives Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin Vnukov 

Vinh stressed that the two countries’ relations have developed in all fields, including security and defence.

The diplomat also said that defence is an important pillar in the Russia-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership.

On the same day, Deputy Defence Minister Vinh hosted his Philippine counterpart Raymundo De Vera Elefante during which he confirmed Vietnam will continue supporting the Philippines in undertaking the role as chair of ASEAN in 2017.

The guest said that his visit aimed to exchange experience in the defence industry with Vietnam.

The Vietnamese official, a member of the National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences, also welcomed Shavkat Berdiev, Vice President and General Manager of Southeast Asia of the Discovery Channel, which is planning a project on the settlement of war consequences in Vietnam.

Vinh affirmed that Vietnamese agencies are willing to work with the Discovery Channel on the project.

VNA