The defense ties between Vietnam and Belarus are poised to strengthen significantly following high-level discussions held on December 17, 2023, between Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and the visiting Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin during the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024.
President Cuong welcomed Khrenin, expressing gratitude for the enduring friendship nurtured between the two nations. "The Party, State, Army, and people of Vietnam value the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Belarus, which has been nurtured by the leaders and people of both countries over the decades," Cuong stated, recognizing the historical support provided by the former Soviet Union, including Belarus, during Vietnam’s struggle for independence and reunification.
During the visit, President Cuong underscored the importance of bilateral relations, pointing out the progress made particularly over the past few years across political, economic, and defense sectors. Khrenin echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the long-standing relationship and the significance of Brazil's support, mentioning, "I hope this visit opens up a new phase of partnership between our countries in the defense sector," he stated, emphasizing mutual respect and shared objectives.
Both leaders discussed the recent outcomes of talks between Khrenin and Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang, noting key agreements aimed at improving military cooperation. General Giang remarked on the effective deployment of defense initiatives aligned with their historical friendship, adding, "We always appreciate the significant support and assistance from the former Soviet Union, including the Republic of Belarus, during Vietnam’s past struggle for national liberation and reunification." He expressed hopes for continued collaboration on areas such as military medical training and historical studies.
To make these ambitions concrete, both countries signed documents aimed at enhancing their defense cooperation. The discussions included proposals for increasing educational opportunities through scholarships for Vietnamese military personnel at Belarusian defense institutions. General Giang stated Vietnam’s openness to welcome Belarusian military personnel to its language courses at the Military Science Academy and defense official training programs at the National Defense Academy.
Minister Khrenin committed to closely coordinating with his Vietnamese counterpart to implement their discussed initiatives effectively. The two sides also addressed regional and global issues of mutual concern, with Vietnam advocating for the resolution of disputes through peaceful means based on international law. General Giang's comments reflected this stance: "Vietnam’s consistent stance on resolving disputes through peaceful means, based on international law," he stated, emphasizing the necessity of adherence to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and advancing the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea.
At the conclusion of their talks, Khrenin extended President Alexander Lukashenko’s invitation for President Cuong to visit Belarus, to which Cuong responded positively. The commitment displayed by both sides during this visit is indicative of the intent to bolster defense cooperation, reflecting shared goals aimed at achieving stability and development for both nations.
This visit marks not only another level of engagement between Vietnam and Belarus but also reaffirms their shared objectives of enhancing military readiness and professional capabilities—paving the way for substantive collaboration well beyond defense matters.
