General Phan Van Giang held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Slovakia

On the morning of November 18, at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense, right after the solemn welcoming ceremony, General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense, held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Slovakia Robert Kalinak.

General Phan Van Giang emphasized that the official visit to Vietnam by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia is of special significance in the context of the two countries celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1950-2025), creating new momentum for bilateral defense cooperation, contributing to the active and effective implementation of defense cooperation commitments agreed upon by both sides in the Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation signed in 2015, during the official visit to Vietnam by the Minister of Defence of Slovakia, Martin Glvac.

General Phan Van Giang and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia Robert Kalinak. Photo: Tuan Huy

General Phan Van Giang affirmed that the Party, State, and Government of Vietnam always attach great importance to consolidating and developing the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Slovakia. The Vietnamese people always cherish Slovakia's assistance during the struggle for national independence and reunification in the past, and in the current process of national development and international integration.

Despite their geographical distance, the two countries have ample room and potential for cooperation in all areas, including defense.

General Phan Van Giang speaks at the meeting. Photo: Tuan Huy

During the talks, the two sides exchanged views on the global and regional situation and issues of mutual interest.

General Phan Van Giang emphasized that Vietnam is steadfast in its "four no's" defense policy and wishes 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.

Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kalinak speaks at the talks. Photo: Tuan Huy

Over the past period, bilateral defense cooperation has received attention and been implemented in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2015, achieving positive results. Looking ahead, both sides agreed to continue promoting defense cooperation commensurate with the positive and increasingly close development of bilateral relations, focusing on the following areas: strengthening exchanges of delegations, establishing cooperation mechanisms to enhance mutual understanding, and exchanging measures to promote cooperation.

General Phan Van Giang expressed his hope that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia would pay attention and soon appoint a Slovak Defence Attaché to Vietnam to act as a bridge to help effectively implement the cooperation contents agreed upon by both sides.

General Phan Van Giang and members of the Vietnamese delegation at the talks. Photo: Tuan Huy

Both sides promoted cooperation in training, with the Slovak Ministry of Defence exploring the possibility of accepting Vietnamese military personnel to participate in training courses in the Slovak language and other specialized fields in which Slovakia excels. The Vietnamese Ministry of Defence is ready to accept Slovak military personnel to study Vietnamese and participate in the International Defence Officials Training Program.

Furthermore, the two sides should promote cooperation in UN peacekeeping through delegation exchanges, experience sharing, and participation in relevant training courses organized by each side; strengthen cooperation in the defense industry; research and explore possibilities for cooperation in other potential areas, such as cybersecurity, demining, post-war remediation, responding to non-traditional security challenges, and mutual support within the framework of cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kalinak and members of the Slovak delegation at the talks. Photo: Tuan Huy

On this occasion, General Phan Van Giang respectfully invites the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia, along with leaders of the agency responsible for defense industry cooperation and leading defense industry enterprises of Slovakia, to attend the third Vietnam International Defence Exhibition, scheduled to be held at the end of 2026.

General Phan Van Giang expressed his belief that the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia would contribute to deepening bilateral defence cooperation, making it more substantive, effective, and commensurate with the potential of both sides, for the benefit of both countries, and for the peace, stability, and common development of the region and the world.

The scene at the meeting. Photo: Tuan Huy

For his part, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kalinak emphasized the long-standing traditional relationship between Vietnam and Slovakia, with the two countries standing side-by-side during years of struggle and development.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia expressed his pleasure at the results of defense cooperation between the two countries in the past period. Looking ahead, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia proposed that the two countries strengthen cooperation in the following areas: defense industry, exchange of delegations at all levels, and cybersecurity. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia agreed to appoint a Slovak Defence Attaché to Vietnam.

During the visit, on the morning of the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kalinak and members of the Slovak delegation laid wreaths at the Monument to the Heroes and Martyrs on Bac Son Street (Hanoi); and laid wreaths and paid respects at the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh.

HA PHUONG

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-te/doi-ngoai-quoc-phong/dai-tuong-phan-van-giang-hoi-dam-voi-pho-thu-tuong-bo-truong-bo-quoc-phong-slovakia-1012489