VOV.VN - Deputy Defence Minister Phan Van Giang urged Vietnam and the Czech Republic to help their defence businesses seek cooperation opportunities in military trade and defence industry at a reception for Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic’s Parliament Vojtech Filip in Hanoi on June 11.

Giang who is also Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army suggested intensifying experience exchange and cooperation to deal with the consequences of bombs and mines left over from war and participate in the United Nations peacekeeping forces.

Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in 2012, the two defence ministries have launched an array of activities to develop their relations such as delegation exchanges, human resources training, and defence industry enhancement.

Both sides should continue strengthening all-level delegation exchanges, especially among high-ranking officers, and cooperation in officers’ training and scientific research and technology simulation, Giang said.

In reply, Vojtech Filip who is also Chairman of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM)  agreed with Giang’s proposals and affirmed his nation’s recognition of great importance to developing traditional and all-around cooperation with Vietnam, including defence partnership.

As a member of the European Union (EU), the Czech Republic supports cooperation activities between Vietnam and the EU in the area of defence as well as in negotiations towards the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), he added.