(Bqp.vn) - In Hanoi, on May 19, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defense General Nguyen Tan Cuong received Indonesian Chief of Army General Maruli Simanjuntak.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong (R) and General Maruli Simanjuntak.
During the reception, General Nguyen Tan Cuong highly appreciated the significance of General Maruli Simanjuntak’s visit, particularly in the context of the two countries having recently elevated their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Indonesia (in March 2025) and approaching the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The visit also serves to practically implement the shared understanding between the two countries’ defense ministers established during General Secretary To Lam’s visit to Indonesia.
At the reception.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong emphasized that Vietnam and Indonesia are maritime neighbors with many shared interests. He praised Indonesia’s significant achievements in economic, social, and defense-security domains, as well as its growing stature and role regionally and internationally.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong speaking at the reception.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong noted that Vietnam - Indonesia defense cooperation has been prioritized by both sides and yielded substantive results. On this occasion, he sincerely thanked the Indonesian Ministry of Defense for sending delegations to attend the 80th Founding Anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army, the 35th Anniversary of All-People National Defense Day, and the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024.
General Maruli Simanjuntak speaking at the reception.
For his part, General Maruli Simanjuntak briefed General Nguyen Tan Cuong on the outcomes of his earlier talks with Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nghia, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army. Both sides acknowledged the progress in army-to-army cooperation and discussed measures to further deepen practical and effective collaboration in the coming time. General Maruli Simanjuntak affirmed his commitment to advancing agreed-upon initiatives.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong presenting a souvenir to General Maruli Simanjuntak.
All delegates in a joint photo.
Applauding the productive talks, General Nguyen Tan Cuong expressed his hope that the two armies would continue enhancing exchanges, delegation visits, and collaboration in potential fields. He also stressed the importance of mutual support at ASEAN-led multilateral forums and mechanisms, reaffirming Vietnam’s support for fostering substantive and effective bilateral army cooperation.
