PM receives New Zealand's Defense Minister

He highly valued the talks held between New Zealand's Minister of Defense and his Vietnamese counterpart Phung Quang Thanh, saying that the official visit will contribute to promoting the two nations' relationship.

He also stressed that the two nations' relations have been developed in all fields, bringing benefits for both and contributing to regional peace, stability and development.

The PM applauded the role of New Zealand at regional forums, confirming that Viet Nam treasures the relations with New Zealand and hoping that The country will support ASEAN in implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the formation of a future Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC).

Minister Jonathan Coleman noted that his working visit aims to strengthen the cooperation in national defense.

The two sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation, agreeing to enhance consultancy at multilateral and bilateral forums, he added.

The Minister asserted to step up cooperation with Viet Nam at regional forums and support Viet Nam in the UN's peacekeeping activities and ASEAN in realizing the COC.

(Source: News.chinhphu.vn)