Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Defence
22 March 2013
Media Statement
Talks with Viet Nam’s Defence Minister
Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman has held a bilateral meeting in Auckland today with Viet Nam’s Minister of National
Defence.
The visit by General Phung Quang Thanh is the first to New Zealand by a Viet Nam Minister of National Defence.
“This was a welcome opportunity for a bilateral meeting and we discussed a broad range of defence-related issues in Asia
Pacific, as well as opportunities for future co-operation in the region,” said Dr Coleman.
General Thanh is in the country until March 25th. His programme has included meetings with the Chief of Defence,
Secretary of Defence, and a visit to the NZDF Joint Force headquarters.
New Zealand enjoys a productive bilateral relationship with Viet Nam. Prime Minister John Key visited Viet Nam twice in
2010. Minister Thanh’s visit is the third by a Vietnamese Politburo member to New Zealand since 2012.
ENDS