Leaders at the online ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit on November 14 (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc on November 14 called on New Zealand to open its door wider for goods andagricultural products of ASEAN countries as the sides have substantialpotential for cooperation.
Addressing the online ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit, the PM suggested New Zealand share its experience in building brandsand developing value chains of a number of fruits in order to help the ASEANcountries access demanding markets.
ASEAN is now New Zealand’s fourth largest tradepartner, with two-way trade reaching 12.5 billion USD in 2019, he said.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, he proposedNew Zealand strengthen cooperation with ASEAN in vaccine research anddevelopment, and support the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies and theCOVID-19 Response Fund.
Vietnam hopes that, New Zealand, as Chair of theAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2021, will join hands withregional countries to create strong momentum to overcome the crisis and recoverthe growth, PM Phuc said.
He also called on New Zealand to createfavourable conditions for students of the two sides to seek new learningmethods amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
ASEAN strongly commits to building the East Sea into amaritime area of peace, stability and development, the PM said, adding that thebloc’s stance and principles on the East Sea were made clear at the 36th ASEANSummit, the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 37th ASEAN Summit.
ASEAN countries have emphasised the significance ofenhancing dialogue and trust, and peaceful addressing disputes in line withinternational law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Relevant sides should exercise self-restraint and notmilitarise or take actions that would increase tensions and complicate thesituation, the PM said.
The countries have also highlighted efforts to fullyand effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the EastSea (DOC) and build a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) effectively,efficiently and in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.
Vietnam will closely coordinate with other ASEANcountries and New Zealand to advance the ASEAN-New Zealand cooperation, thusbringing benefits to both sides, for peace, stability and prosperity in theregion.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said ASEANand New Zealand share a strong legacy of working together to advance peace andprosperity in the region.
ASEAN is New Zealand’s fourth largest trading partner,a crucial defence and security partner, and a critical strategic hub thatconnects New Zealand to Asia and the rest of the world, Ardern affirmed.
The partnership will play an important role as the countrieswork together to support global efforts to manage the pandemic and ensure fairand equitable access to safe vaccines, and drive economic recovery throughmaintaining open markets for their exporters and resilient supply chains,Jacinda Ardern said.
The PM reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment tostrengthening its partnership with ASEAN under the themes of “Peace,Prosperity, People and Planet”, which will promote cooperation in areas such assustainability and climate change, trade facilitation and digital commerce.
At the end of the summit, the leaders adopted JointASEAN-New Zealand Leaders’ Vision Statement on the 45th Anniversary of ASEAN-NewZealand Dialogue Relations: A Legacy ofPartnership, A Future Together.
Under the statement, the leaders shared commitment tomaintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as wellas to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal anddiplomatic processes.
They reaffirmed their dedication to an open,transparent, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture, which respectsthe sovereignty of all states regardless of their size; which is based on keyprinciples such as adherence to international law and open markets; and whichis built on ASEAN-led mechanisms.
The leaders reiterated their determination to promoteshared values and norms including those enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, theCharter of the United Nations, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation inSoutheast Asia.
The sides agreed to continue to work together on trust-building and preventive diplomacy, including through the ASEANRegional Forum process, and to address regional security challenges, including throughcooperation to promote cybersecurity, combat transnational organised crime andcybercrime, strengthen border security, counter terrorism, and promote socialinclusiveness to prevent violent extremism.
They welcomed the decision to officially launchnegotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement inearly 2021, to ensure it remains a visionary and precedent-setting agreement,which delivers tangible benefits to their businesses, consumers, and peoples,and which demonstrates the genuine economic partnership between ASEAN and NewZealand.
They promised to redouble efforts to deepen practicaleconomic cooperation, improve business linkages, and support human capitaldevelopment in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, noting theimportance of science, technology and innovation for 21st century economies. /.
VNA
