Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Ngo Xuan Lich (L)
hold talks with his New Zealand counterpart Ron Mark in Wellington on November
5. (Photo: VNA)
Welcoming Lich and his high-ranking military delegation to New
Zealand, Mark said "New Zealand is committed to enhancing defence cooperation
with Vietnam in peacekeeping, maritime security, professional military
education and training and through strategic dialogue.”
"Minister Lich’s visit is an opportunity to further deepen regional security
cooperation and to support the elevation of bilateral relations between our two
countries,” he said.
Gen. Lich, for his part, affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to the
Comprehensive Partnership with New Zealand. He expected that the visit would be
a success, marking a new milestone in the bilateral defence partnership and
helping to deepen the Vietnam-New Zealand bilateral ties.
The two ministers exchanged views on issues of mutual concern and updated each
other on the socio-economic development of each country. They also reviewed the
bilateral defence ties and outlined steps to foster the future cooperation.
They agreed that the defence cooperation between the two nations has proven
effective in line with signed agreements, particularly a Memorandum of
Understanding on defence cooperation inked in 2013. However, there is still
huge room for the two sides to further step up their defence ties, they said.
On that basis, the ministers agreed to continue regular exchange of visits at
all levels, effectively promote current dialogue mechanisms and enhance
collaboration in foreign language training.
The two countries will also reinforce the exchange of experiences in naval and
peacekeeping operations as well as coordination within the framework of the
ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) and other multilateral
forums. In addition, they will take into account expanding their defence cooperation
to other potential realms, such as natural disaster relief that both sides are
capable and experienced.
Gen. Lich told his host that Vietnam will assume the annual rotating ASEAN
Chairmanship in 2020 and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence will host
the ADMM-Plus and celebrations for the mechanism’s anniversary the same year.
Vietnam looks forward to gaining support from New Zealand for the success of
these events, he said.
"I am confident that the bilateral defence relations will see new progress in
line with benefits of both our countries and for regional and global peace,
security and development,” he said.
Regarding issues in the East Sea, the two ministers agreed that territorial
disputes must be settled via peaceful measures on the basis of international
law, especially the 1982 United Nations on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Lich has been on an official to New Zealand from November 5-9 at the invitation
of Minister of Defence Ron Mark.
Source: VNA
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