On behalf of the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense (MND), Gen. Nam affirmed that the Vietnamese MND always treasures and contributes to the traditional friendship between the two countries, and considers Slovakia a trusted and key partner of Vietnam in Central Europe.
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The Vietnamese delegation at the meeting |
He conveyed greetings and thanks from Deputy PM and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang to the host for inviting the Vietnamese MND to attend the IDEB 2026. He stressed that the Vietnamese MND highly appreciated the scale of the exhibition, the development of Slovakia’s defense industry, and the potential for future cooperation between the two sides in defense industry.
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The Slovak delegation at the meeting |
To promote practical and intensive defense cooperation between the two countries in line with the agreements reached by the senior leaders of both nations, the Vietnamese defense leader expressed his hope that the relevant agencies of both sides would actively coordinate in implementing the contents agreed upon by the defense ministers of the two countries in such areas as delegation exchanges, training, and United Nations peacekeeping operations.
He suggested the two sides explore cooperation potential in cyber security, mine clearance, and responses to non-traditional security challenges; and support each other within the framework of cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union, and between the Slovak Republic and ASEAN.
Regarding cooperation in defense industry, Gen. Nam hoped that Mr. Robert Kaliňák would direct the relevant agencies of the Slovak Ministry of Defense to implement cooperation contents in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on defense industry cooperation signed by the two sides in April 2026, focusing on enhancing delegation exchanges at all levels, establishing a Joint Working Group on defense industry cooperation between the two defense ministries to share experience, supporting and coordinating participation in defense expos organized by each side.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Pham Hoai Nam speaks at the meeting. |
Noting that the Vietnamese MND will host the third Vietnam Defense Expo this December, Gen. Nam hoped to welcome Mr. Robert Kaliňák together with leading Slovak defense industry enterprises to attend and showcase products at the exhibition.
For his part, Slovak Deputy PM and Minister of Defense Robert Kaliňák thanked the Vietnamese MND for sending a high-level delegation to attend IDEB 2026, and agreed to further strengthen bilateral defense ties in line with the strategic partnership framework between the two countries.
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Slovak Deputy PM and Minister of Defense Robert Kaliňák speaks at the event. |
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An overview of the meeting |
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The host and the guest exchange souvenirs. |
At the meeting, the two sides agreed to coordinate the organization of the Vietnam - Slovakia Defense Industry Forum at the earliest opportunity, tentatively scheduled for this autumn.
Translated by Mai Huong