At the meeting with Admiral Yudo Margono, Commander of the Indonesian National Army, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong sincerely thanked Admiral Yudo Margono in particular and the Indonesian Army in general for the warm welcome given to the Vietnamese delegation attending ACDFM-20; emphasizing that this conference is an important milestone marking the continuous development and growth in cooperation between the armies of ASEAN countries.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong met with Admiral Yudo Margono, Commander of the Indonesian National Army.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong said that the military-defense cooperation between the two countries has developed well in recent times, contributing positively to the overall development of the Vietnam-Indonesia bilateral relationship; he hoped that the Commander would support the two sides to soon agree to sign a Joint Patrol Agreement to enhance cooperation between the two navies, contributing to handling situations arising at sea; he requested that the maritime law enforcement agencies of the two countries handle violations humanely, on the basis of the friendly relations between the two countries.

Admiral Yudo Margono highly appreciated the Vietnamese delegation's active and proactive participation in ACDFM-20, clearly demonstrating its role as a responsible member of ASEAN; and hoped that Vietnam would support Indonesia's initiatives in multilateral forums, thereby promoting the good friendship between the two countries.

* Pleased to meet again Senior Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone, member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Chief of the General Staff, Deputy Minister of National Defense of Laos, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong expressed his belief that with its responsibility and experience, Laos will successfully fulfill its role and responsibility as Chair of ASEAN 2024 as well as ACDFM-21; affirming that Vietnam in general and the Vietnam People's Army in particular will cooperate closely and assist with the most responsibility and sincere feelings.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong met with Senior Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone, Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defense of Laos.

The two Chiefs of the General Staff of the two armies agreed to closely coordinate and actively and effectively implement the agreements of the high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and States, the Cooperation Protocol between the two Ministries of National Defense for the 2020-2024 period and the Cooperation Plan for 2023, with the focuses of mutual interest; affirmed that the two sides will continue to support each other at multilateral forums in the region and the world; exchange information, strengthen propaganda and education for all classes of people about the meaning and importance of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, people and armies of the two countries; resolutely fight against the distortions of hostile forces about the good relationship between the two countries.

* At the meeting with General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Army, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to and gives priority to continuously consolidating and developing relations with Cambodia; congratulated Cambodia on successfully organizing the 32nd SEA Games and the 2023 Para Games; expressed his belief that the success of these events will be a premise for Cambodia to continue to successfully organize major regional and international political, diplomatic and sporting events in the future.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong and General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Army.

General Vong Pisen and Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong both agreed that defense cooperation between the two countries has developed well in recent times, achieved substantial results, and continues to affirm itself as one of the important pillars in the Vietnam - Cambodia bilateral relationship.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong said that recently, the two countries' Ministries of Defense have coordinated with the Lao Ministry of Defense to conduct a field survey to prepare for the first Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange at the Minister of Defense level, scheduled for early December 2023; hoping that the Royal Cambodian Army will continue to pay attention and direct relevant agencies to closely coordinate with Vietnam and Laos in preparing and organizing the Exchange and carefully preparing for the visit to Cambodia of General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam.

* At the meeting with General Chalermphon Srisawasdi, Commander of the Thai Defense Forces, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong said that defense cooperation between the two countries has continued to be maintained and achieved practical results in areas such as: Exchange of delegations at all levels; maintaining existing cooperation mechanisms; military and service cooperation; training; coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong and General Chalermphon Srisawasdi with members of the two delegations at the meeting.

Expressing his pleasure at meeting Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Senior General Chalermphon Srisawasdi congratulated and highly appreciated Vietnam's many achievements, including many marks in military and defense work.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense supports the events organized by Thailand and looks forward to welcoming the Commander, his wife and the Royal Thai Army delegation to officially visit Vietnam in August 2023 as determined by the two sides, thereby further promoting cooperation between the two militaries; hoping that the Commander will support the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Thai Maritime Command Center to soon agree on the content and sign the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in law enforcement at sea; at the same time, requesting that the maritime law enforcement agencies of both sides continue to humanely handle violations by fishermen of both sides based on the spirit of friendly relations between the two countries.

* During the meeting with Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, Commander of the Timor Leste Defense Force, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong said that military-defense cooperation between Vietnam and Timor Leste still has much potential for development; suggested that the two sides study and promote activities such as delegation exchanges at all levels, cooperation in training, defense industry, exchange and sharing of professional experience; hoped that the Government and Army of Timor Leste would continue to pay attention and create favorable conditions for the Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel) to continue doing business in Timor Leste, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality and the general relationship between the two countries and the two armies.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong met with Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, Commander of the Timor Leste Defense Force.

* At the meeting with Rear Admiral Aaron Beng, Commander of the Singapore Defense Forces, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong expressed his impression that Singapore had just successfully organized the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue and affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense attached great importance to it and would continue to attend the next dialogues. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong also thanked the Singaporean Army for its attention, support and delegation to attend activities organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense in 2022, contributing to the success of these events.

Scene of the meeting between Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong and Rear Admiral Aaron Beng, Commander of the Singapore Defense Force.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong and Rear Admiral Aaron Beng expressed their joy that over the past time, Vietnam - Singapore defense cooperation has continued to develop, becoming increasingly trustworthy, substantive, and effective, demonstrated in many areas, such as: Leaders of the two countries' Ministries of Defense and Military regularly meet and contact; the two sides effectively maintain cooperation mechanisms; training cooperation is focused on and promoted; cooperation between military branches and services is enhanced and the two sides always coordinate and support each other at forums and events organized by each side.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong talks with General Andres C. Centino, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces.

* Previously, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong had a bilateral meeting with the Head of the Philippine delegation, General Andres C. Centino, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces.

News and photos: TIEN DAT (from Bali, Indonesia)