Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh (left) in his meeting with New Zealand Defence Minister Ron Mark. (Photo: VNA)Sydney (VNA) – Vietnam and New Zealand haveagreed to enhance cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations, cyber and maritimesecurity, and in the Experts Working Group (EWG) mechanism within the frameworkof the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-Plus).
It was amongplans the two countries outlined for their defence cooperation between 2018 -2020 when Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defence Senior LieutenantGeneral Nguyen Chi Vinh and New Zealand Secretary of Defence Helene Quilter co-chaired the third Vietnam-NewZealand Defence Policy Dialogue in Wellington on November 7.
WelcomingVinh, Quilter said the visit would strengthen the comprehensive partnershipbetween the two countries and their defence ties with a vision towards astrategic partnership in the time ahead.
NewZealand highly values Vietnam’s role in the region and wants to join hands withVietnam to contribute to peace, stability and development in the region, thesecretary of defence noted.
Vinh,for his part, affirmed that Vietnam always treasures defence cooperation withNew Zealand, saying despite geographical distance, the two countries’ partnershiphas proved to be effective, benefiting their people and national development.
Thetwo officials exchanged views on several issues of mutual interest, including counterterrorism,maritime security and the role played by regional powers.
Theyalso agreed to continue the exchange of high-ranking delegations and exchangesbetween research institutes; maintain consultation and dialogue mechanisms; andfoster cooperation in training.
Vinh later metwith New Zealand Defence Minister Ron Mark who said he highly appreciated the outcomesof bilateral defence cooperation in recent years.
During his visitto New Zealand from November 5-7, Vinh and Chief of the New Zealand DefenceForce Lt Gen Tim Keating signed an agreement on cooperation in peacekeepingtraining between the two countries. -VNA
VNA
