Senior Vietnamese and Ukrainian officials have sought closer defence cooperation, especially in experience sharing and realising agreements reached in past visits.

At a working session with Ukrainian Defence Minister Pavlo Lebedev in Kiev on December 4, National Assembly Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son suggested the host ministry offer more scholarships to Vietnamese army officials while sending their officials to Vietnam to take Vietnamese language and professional courses.

According to him, army officials from 18 countries overseas are pursuing these courses.

The legislative leader asked Ukraine to help Vietnam in preparing for its engagement in the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

Vietnam will hold more meetings with Ukraine war veterans who once worked in the country, adding that he hopes for more Ukrainian support in this regard.

Vietnam is always keen to reinforce and expand ties with its traditional friends, including Ukraine, Son noted, adding that high hopes are pinned on their joint work in the future, including national defence and security.

Sharing the same view with his guest, Lebedev said any future bilateral partnership should focus on facilitating visits whereby practical orientations for training and military building will be outlined.

The National Assembly Vice Chairman is making a working trip to Ukraine from Dec. 4-7.-VNA