Vietnam will make all efforts to, together with Russia, continuedeveloping the two countries’ relations in a deep and effective mannerin all fields, including defence, President Truong Tan Sang has said.

Sang made the statement at a reception in Hanoi onMarch 5 for Russian Defence Minister General Sergei Shoigu, now on aworking visit to Vietnam for the first time since he took up theministerial position last November.

ThePresident highly valued the outcomets of the talks between Shoigu andhis Vietnamese counterpart Gen. Phung Quang Thanh, and said he believedthat the visit will contribute practically to boosting the bilateralmulti-faceted cooperation.

Over the past years,despite the difference in political mechanisms, the two countries’cooperation has been effective and enjoyed fine development in line withthe comprehensive strategic partnership and each nation’s interests,Sang said, adding that Vietnam is always grateful to the former SovietUnion and Russia for their wholehearted and effective assistance to thecountry during its national liberation and reunification in the past andconstruction and socio-economic development at present.

The Vietnamese leader expressed his hope that in his new position,Shoigu will contribute to strengthening the two sides’ defencecooperation.

Shoigu affirmed that he will do hisutmost to effectively implement signed cooperation agreements onmilitary and military technology.

Earlier, Shoigu held talks with Vietnamese Defence Minister Thanh.

The two ministers exchanged views on national, regional andinternational issues, reviewed the results of the cooperation betweenthe two ministries over the past years, as well as worked outcooperation directions in the time to come.

Theguest said that the two armies’ cooperation has yet to match eachcountry’s potential and demand. He suggested the two sides strengthendelegation exchanges and carry out specific orientations to lift thebilateral defence ties to a new height, suitable to the two countries’traditional friendship and matching their comprehensive strategicpartnership.

Both host and guest agreed that in thecoming time, the two armies need to focus on the fields of military andmilitary technology that they have capacity. -VNA