site.btaDefence Ministers of Bulgaria, Vietnam Discuss Regional Security, Bilateral Military Cooperation

Bulgaria's Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov conferred with his Vietnamese counterpart, General Phan Van Giang, on Wednesday. The meeting, part of an official high-level visit by a Vietnamese delegation to Bulgaria, focused on bilateral military cooperation and the regional security situation.

“We highly appreciate our traditional friendship, goodwill, and mutual respect, which are deeply rooted in history and have grown stronger over the decades,” Zapryanov said. He noted that Vietnam is a key partner for Bulgaria in the dynamically evolving Southeast Asian region. The Minister expressed confidence that the scope of what he described as a productive partnership would continue to grow, particularly in the areas of personnel training and preparation, experience exchange, and military technical cooperation.

During the talks, the sides outlined specific initiatives for collaboration in military education and training, as well as military recreation. The two ministers also signed a letter of intent to deepen defence cooperation between Bulgaria and Vietnam.

Led by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, the Vietnamese delegation arrived in Sofia earlier on Wednesday evening. It includes ministers and representatives of Vietnamese companies. The visit is at the invitation of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and is taking place in the context of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and of Vietnam.