During the event, the two sides expressed their delight at the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the upgrade of the ties between Vietnam and New Zealand to a strategic partnership, considering it favorable conditions for both sides to further promote the comprehensive defense cooperation especially delegation exchanges, education and training, and U.N. peacekeeping operations, among others.
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General Chien chairs the dialogue |
The two sides also agreed to organize annual meetings at the defense-minister level on the occasion of official visits to each other or on the sideline of multilateral events in the next year. They will also develop a three-year cooperation plan, starting from 2022, to gradually bring defense cooperation to a new height.
Regarding multilateral cooperation, General Chien informed the New Zealand side of the outcomes of the multilateral defense activities chaired by the country as it is taking the dual role of ASEAN 2020 Chair and non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council this year, contributing to affirming Vietnam’s great efforts in maintaining and boosting cooperation among ADMM/ADMM + mechanisms for the mutual interest of ASEAN as well as partner countries.
For his part, Mr. Andrew Bridgman underlined the support of New Zealand as ASEAN central role and highly valued initiatives and contributions of Vietnam to the region over the past time.
The two sides also agreed on the principles of mutual understanding and respecting international law, settling disputes by peaceful means, and not using or threatening to use force.
On this occasion, General Chien thanked the Ministry of Defense of New Zealand for their emergency assistance of USD 117,000 to partly make up for the losses of Vietnam due to recent natural disasters.
Earlier, General Chien also hosted a reception for Wendy Matthews, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam.
Translated by Khanh Ngan