 Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang |
Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry Pham Thu Hang responded to reporters’ questions about Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s statement on Vietnam-Russia defense cooperation.
She said: “Vietnam always respects its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in various fields including defense cooperation. The bilateral defense ties have been maintained and promoted in line with cooperative agreements, particularly the Joint Vision on Vietnam-Russia Defense Cooperation in the 2020-2022 period, in order to contribute to peace, stability, security, safety, cooperation and development in the region and the world.”
Regarding President Joe Biden’s statement that he will visit Vietnam in the coming time, Ms Hang said the two sides are discussing ways to deepen bilateral ties in a stable, practical, and long-term, manner toward a new level of relations when the conditions are suitable, in order to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
Regarding China’s construction of a runway on Tri Ton Island of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa Archipelago, Hang said Vietnam’s agencies are verifying the information. She reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy as saying that any activity in the Hoang Sa Archipelago without Vietnam’s permission violates Vietnam’s sovereignty, complicates the situation, and undermines peace, order, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.
In regard to Vietnam’s relation with BRICS countries, Hang said Vietnam is ready to participate in and actively contribute to global and regional multilateral mechanisms, organizations and forums.
Like many countries around the world, Vietnam pays attention to the progress of discussions on expanding membership of the BRICS Group of major emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
According to Hang, Vietnam is one of 71 countries invited by the host country South Africa to participate in the 15th BRICS Summit, to be held in South Africa from August 22-24. Two conferences – “The BRICS and Africa” and “The BRICS Political Parties Plus Dialogue” will take place in South Africa. Vietnam plans to send official representatives to both conferences.