Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung receives New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan  Coleman (Photo: VGP)

(VOV) - The government supports Vietnam-New Zealand defence cooperation, especially in naval affairs and personnel training, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has said.

While receiving visiting New Zealand Minister of Defence Jonathan Coleman in Hanoi on Monday, Dung lauded the result of talks between the two defence ministers, which he said will make an important contribution to strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation.

He noted Vietnam-New Zealand relations are developing well in all areas, bringing practical benefits to both sides, and contributing to peace, stability and development in the region.

Vietnam attaches importance to increasing mutually beneficial cooperation with New Zealand, said Dung.

He expressed his hope New Zealand will support ASEAN in realising the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea and formulating the Code of Conduct (COC) to ensure maritime safety and security in the sea.