2 Russian warships arrive in Vietnamese port of Cam Ranh on working visit

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – The Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday that two ships from its Pacific Navy Fleet arrived in the Vietnamese port of Cam Ranh on Saturday on a working visit.

The crews of the Russian anti-submarine guided-missile destroyer Admiral Panteleyev and the medium-sized Pechenga tanker were welcomed by the Russian Consul General in the city of Ho Chi Minh, Timur Sadykov, and the staff of the military attache's office of the Russian Embassy in Vietnam, the ministry said in a statement.

"Cam Ranh is a very important port for our country. For more than two decades, it faithfully served as a naval base for ships of the Pacific Fleet. It was here that the traditions of military brotherhood and friendship between the peoples of the Soviet Union and Vietnam were established," Sadykov said.

The diplomat added that the regular visits of Russian naval personnel to Vietnam ports in recent years have "made a significant contribution to strengthening friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations in the interests of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world."

The visit will last until Dec. 4, and the commanders are expected to meet with Vietnamese military and regional civil officials, as well as participate in friendly sports competitions with Vietnamese sailors.