Defense Minister holds talks with Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense in Ha Noi

Phan said, the Slovak official's visit holds special significance in the context of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and creates new momentum for bilateral defense cooperation.

The Party, State, and Government of Viet Nam always place great importance on strengthening and advancing the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Slovakia, he noted.

Viet Nam remains steadfast in its 'four nos' defense policy and seeks to expand bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect for common interests, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, underlined Phan.

He called on the two sides continue to promote defense cooperation, increase delegation exchanges and establish cooperation mechanisms to enhance mutual understanding.

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense hopes that the Slovak Ministry of Defense will consider accepting Vietnamese military personnel for Slovak-language courses and training in fields where Slovakia has strengths, said Phan.

Phan reiterated that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense stands ready to receive Slovak military personnel to study Vietnamese and participate in the International Defense Officers courses.

He called on the two sides to push for stronger ties in United Nations peacekeeping via delegation exchanges, experience sharing, and participation in training courses organized by each side.

The host emphasized the need to boost collaboration in defense industry and explore possibilities for further cooperation in other potential areas such as cybersecurity, mine clearance, post-war recovery, and responses to non-traditional security challenges.

The two sides should support each other within the framework of cooperation between Viet Nam and the European Union, suggested Phan.

Kalinak, for his part, expressed his delight at the fruitful development in defense cooperation between the two countries, saying he would appoint a Slovak Defense Attaché to Viet Nam.

He proposed that in the coming time, the two sides further strengthen cooperation in areas such as defense industry, delegation exchanges at all levels, and cybersecurity./.

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