A military delegation led by Deputy Defence Minister, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, paid a working visit to New Zealand from November 12-14 in an effort to strengthen defence links between the two countries.

During his stay, Vinh and his delegation paid a courtesy call to New Zealand Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman. Coleman affirmed that his country will continue to foster defence cooperation with Vietnam for the benefit of both peoples and to ensure peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

Vinh relayed Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh’s invitation to Coleman to visit Vietnam .

At talks with New Zealand Deputy Secretary of Defence Bede Corry, both sides agreed that defence cooperation between the two countries has developed in a positive, practical and effective manner - especially in delegation exchange, military consultations, and experience sharing.

Vinh thanked New Zealand ’s Ministry of Defence for its help in personnel training.

The two sides agreed to step up defence cooperation between the countries by exchanging delegations of all levels, holding consultations, and closely coordinating at multilateral forums.

As part of the tour, Vinh and his delegation visited several military bases in New Zealand-VNA