Gen. Giang highlighted the significance of the visit, especially in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1950-2025). He said it helped create new momentum for bilateral defense cooperation, contributing to the active and effective implementation of commitments agreed upon in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation signed in 2015, during the official visit to Vietnam by then Slovak Minister of Defense Martin Glvac.
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Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang (left) welcomes his Slovak counterpart Robert Kalinak. |
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The two ministers review the guards-of-honor of the Vietnam People's Army. |
The Vietnamese defense chief affirmed that the Party, State, and Government of Vietnam always attach importance to consolidating and developing the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Slovakia. The Vietnamese people always cherish Slovakia's assistance during the past struggle for national independence and reunification, and in the current cause of national development and international integration.
During the talks, the two ministers exchanged views on the world and regional situations as well as issues of mutual concern.
Gen. Giang emphasized Vietnam’s steadfastness in its “Four no's” defense policy and the country’s willingness to expand bilateral and multilateral defense ties on the basis of equality and mutual respect for common interests, contributing to maintaining regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.
The two sides assessed that over the past time, bilateral defense cooperation has been implemented in accordance with the MoU signed in 2015, achieving positive results. In the coming time, both sides will continue promoting the ties commensurate with the flourishing and closer relations of the two countries. Accordingly, they will enhance delegation exchange, establish cooperation mechanisms to promote mutual understanding, and discuss measures to boost cooperation.
The Vietnamese minister expressed his wish that his Slovak counterpart would pay attention to and soon appoint a Slovak defense attaché to Vietnam to act as a bridge helping to effectively implement the reached cooperation contents.
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General Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese delegation at the talks |
The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in training, wherein the Slovak Ministry of Defense will consider receiving Vietnamese military personnel for Slovak language training and specialized fields where Slovakia has strengths. The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense stands ready to receive Slovak military personnel for Vietnamese language courses and the International Defense Officials’ Training Program.
In addition, the two sides will promote cooperation in U.N. peacekeeping, defense industry; consider cooperation in areas of potential, such as cybersecurity, mine action, war legacy relief, response to non-traditional security challenges; and continue mutual support within the framework of cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union.
Gen. Giang respectfully invited his Slovak counterpart, along with leaders of agency in charge of defense industry cooperation and leading Slovak defense industry enterprises, to attend the third Vietnam Defense Expo, scheduled for late 2026.
He believed that the visit of the Slovak Deputy PM and Minister of Defense would contribute to deepening bilateral defense ties, making it substantive and effective, in line with the potential of both sides, for the benefit of the two countries, and for peace, stability, and common development of the region and the world.
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Deputy PM, Minister of Defense Robert Kalinak and the Slovak delegation at the talks |
For his part, Slovak Minister Robert Kalinak underlined the time-honored bilateral relations, noting that the two countries have stood side-by-side in the past struggle and current development.
He expressed his delight at the outcomes of bilateral defense ties. He suggested the two countries strengthen collaboration in defense industry, all-level delegation exchange, and cybersecurity. He agreed to appoint a Slovak defense attaché to Vietnam.
Within the framework of the visit, Deputy PM and Minister of Defense Robert Kalinak and the Slovak delegation laid wreaths at the Heroic Martyrs’ Monument on Bac Son Street (Hanoi) and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum.
Translated by Mai Huong