Defence Minister receives New Zealand Defence Force Chief

Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh (Photo: VNA)

Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh received Lieutenant General Tim Keating, Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force, on August 17 as Keating is leading a high-ranking defence delegation from New Zealand to visit Vietnam from August 15-20.

Over the past 40 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have enjoyed a growing comprehensive partnership that benefits both sides and contributes to peace, stability and development in the region, stated General Thanh.

Particularly, defence cooperation between the two countries has seen positive progress on the basis of the bilateral defence agreement, he said.

The minister said he believes Keating’s visit will contribute to fostering defence affiliations between the two countries.

For his part, Lieut. Gen. Keating said his visit aims to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between the two armies and peoples.

Earlier the same day, Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty held talks with Lieut. Gen. Keating, during which both sides discussed regional and international issues together with matters of shared concern.

They outlined measures to bolster bilateral defence collaboration, including establishing an academic exchange mechanism among training and research facilities as well as sharing experiences in search and rescue, aviation safety, humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

VNA