Vietnam always values the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a wide range of areas, including national defense, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry said on August 17.

Pham Thu Hang, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: The Hanoi Times

"Bilateral defense relations between Vietnam and Russia have been maintained and developed in accordance with cooperation documents and agreements, especially the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Cooperation for 2020-2022 and other cooperation mechanisms established in the past," ministry spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said.

Relations between the two countries have contributed to peace, stability, security, cooperation and development in the region and the world, she added.

Hang's comments were made in response to reporters' questions about Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's speech on defense ties between the two nations.

Speaking at the 11th Moscow International Security Conference (MCIS-11) outside Moscow, Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang reiterated that in international relations, Vietnam adheres to its foreign policy of peace, friendship, cooperation, development, and befriending all countries in the world; of Vietnam as a responsible and reliable partner in the international community; of not forming military alliances, not choosing sides, respecting the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, fulfilling international responsibilities and obligations, and always making positive contributions to world and regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.